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Canisius University Athletics

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Franka Wittenberg dribbles up the court versus Niagara on Febuary 3rd inside the Koessler Athletic Center.
Lindy Feider
58
Niagara Niag 0-22,0-13 MAAC
74
Winner Canisius Canis 4-18,2-11 MAAC
Niagara Niag
0-22,0-13 MAAC
58
Final
74
Canisius Canis
4-18,2-11 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Niagara Niag 6 17 14 21 58
Canisius Canis 16 16 19 23 74

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women's Basketball Cruises to Victory Over Niagara

Senior Franka Wittenberg and sophomore Irene Rey Pineda tallied 10 points each to pace Canisius in a 74-58 win over Niagara in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women's basketball action Tuesday evening at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

Canisius snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 4-18 overall and 2-11 in conference action with the win. Niagara, meanwhile, remained winless on the season, falling to 0-22 overall and 0-13 in league play.

Sophomore Yasmine Djibril and juniors Mary Copple and Shariah Gailes added eight points each for Canisius. Junior Antonique Auston and Gailes shared the team lead with seven rebounds apiece as Canisius enjoyed a 36-26 advantage on the glass. As a team, the Blue and Gold shot 55.3 percent (26-for-47) from the field and 46.2 percent (6-for-13) from 3-point range.

Niagara was led by Talia Dial, who led all players with 15 points. Katarina Veljovic chipped in 13 points and teammate Jordyn Williams ended the contest with 11. The Purple Eagles went 37.9 percent (22-for-58) from the floor and 25.0% (3-for-12) from behind the three-point arc.

Canisius started up the game on a 7-0 run while holding Niagara scoreless for opening 5:50 of the contest. The Griffs maintained that margin throughout the remainder of the first half and took a 32-23 lead into the halftime break. 

Niagara battled back in the opening stages of the third quarter, rattling off the first eight points of the second half to trim its deficit to one. Canisius responded to the Purple Eagles' salvo, closing the frame on a 19-6 run to take a 51-37 advantage into the fourth. The Griffs knocked down eight of their nine field goal attempts during the third-quarter surge, with the only miss coming from beyond the arc. 

Canisius kept Niagara getting any closer, out-scoring Niagara, 23-21, during the fourth quarter to preserve the wire-to-wire victory and secure the season sweep of their Battle of the Bridge rivals.

GAME NOTES
• Tuesday's contest was the 107th time in the all-time series. Canisius extended its win streak over Niagara to three games dating back to last season.
• Eleven of Canisius' 12 active players found their way onto the scoresheet.
• Three Griffs - Wittenberg, Djibril and Auston - tallied four assists each as Canisius accumulated 21 helpers in the contest.
• Canisius cashed in 80.0 percent (16-for-20) of their attempts at the charity stripe throughout the evening.
• The Blue and Gold went 80.0 percent (8-for-10) from the field in the third quarter and 65.2 percent (15-for-23) throughout the second half.
• Tuesday's win was Canisius' first wire-to-wire victory since Feb. 24, 2024. The Blue and Gold spent a total of 39:13 in the driver's seat throughout the evening.
• The Griffs scored a season-best 35 bench points.

UP NEXT
Canisius finishes its week-long homestand against Quinnipiac on Thursday. Tip off inside the Koessler Athletic Center is slated for 6:30 p.m. and the contest will stream on ESPN+.
 
Tickets for all Canisius home women's basketball games, are available to be purchased online by CLICKING HERE. Tickets can also be purchased by phone by calling (716) 888-TIXX or in person at the Canisius ticket office, located in the Koessler Athletic Center lobby, during normal business hours and 90 minutes before tip-off on game day.

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