Niagara Comes Back to Defeat Marist Women

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Marist women’s basketball team fell in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference home contest against Niagara on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 68-53. With the loss the Red Foxes move to 11-14 and 8-7 in the conference, while the Purple Eagles move to 7-18 and 4-12 in the conference.

The game was the team’s annual “Play 4 Kay” game in which the department partners with the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation to help support and raise breast cancer awareness.

Rebekah Hand led the Red Foxes in scoring, dropping 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Hannah Hand was the second highest scorer for Marist, adding 12 points and dishing out three assists.

Rebekah Hand got the offense started in the first quarter, scoring from outside the three-point arc early and often. The fast-paced first quarter saw both teams trading baskets, but Marist had the advantage from three-point range, hitting four of their ten long-range shots.

The second quarter saw more scoring attempts from the outside by Marist but continued inside pressure by the Purple Eagles prevented the Red Foxes from pulling away. Rebekah Hand stayed hot from the outside and three-pointers by Claire Oberdorf helped keep the Red Foxes ahead by a margin of 31-25 at the end of the half.

Rebekah Hand led all Marist scorers in the first half with 12 points in 20 minutes. Hannah Hand also pitched in five points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out three assists in the first half of play. The team was able to force seven turnovers in the half, and notched 10 assists.

The Red Foxes were able to extend their lead to nine points early in the second half, but a scoring drought allowed Niagara to mount a comeback. The Purple Eagles were able to grab 10 offensive rebounds, which helped them take a 51-43 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Purple Eagles continued attacking in the paint in the fourth quarter extending their lead to 11 with less than five minutes to play. The Red Foxes’ comeback attempt was stifled by Niagara’s defense, with the Purple Eagles emerging victorious.

Kaylee Stroemple led the Purple Eagles in scoring, totaling 19 points in 32 minutes.