Even with a baffling series of giveaways in the first quarter, Marist women’s basketball star junior center Morgan Lee dominated the boards with a double-double en route to a mighty 74-52 win over the Niagara Purple Eagles.
Up 15-10 after the first quarter, Marist racked up eight costly turnovers that kept Niagara in the contest. Despite the lack of ball control–including Marist’s first three possessions resulting in turnovers–the Red Foxes controlled the quick passing game and outscored the Purple Eagles 44-21 in the middle quarters.
“With Niagara’s style, you just never know how a game is going to go,” said Marist head coach Erin Doughty after the Red Foxes’ third-consecutive conference win. “I was proud of our team and how we adjusted. The way they play, you don’t really get it until you’re in it.”
Crashing the boards throughout the game, Lee orchestrated the offensive momentum back to the Red Foxes despite missed baskets in the first half, drawing forwards down low while the Purple Eagles put on a press. Marist took a comfortable 36-19 lead at half with increasing momentum out of the gate in the third quarter.
“Not many teams in this league have someone like Morgan [Lee],” said Doughty. “It helps when you can keep someone down there that’s always an outlet. If we were able to get one pass over the press, we thought we could attack… either hit or or kick out to the shooters. Both options were there for us tonight.”
Niagara, playing with only active players and without preseason All-MAAC first team senior guard Aaliyah Parker, struggled from the field. The Purple Eagles’ lead scorer, sophomore guard Safiatu Kolliegbo, shot 5-for-21 from the field while the team only made 3-of-14 from 3-point range.
Marist, already limiting MAAC opponents to the second-lowest shooting percentage in the conference, barricaded the perimeter as Niagara shot a 2-for-13 clip in the second quarter, allowing Marist to extend to a double-digit lead.
Despite Lee’s slow offensive start, Marist had three other double-digit scorers that led the way–junior forward Ciara Croker, freshman guard Danielle Williamsen (13 points each) and redshirt junior guard Lexie Tarul (12 points). Thriving on drawing fouls and a couple clutch long-range shots down the stretch, the Red Foxes matched any scoring threats from the Purple Eagles and capitalized on buckets in the paint.
Two minutes into the third quarter, Niagara had already racked up five fouls, allowing Marist to snag free throws from the bonus. Williamsen, a key creator of the foul opportunities, acted as a sharpshooter on free throws along with Croker, both making 5-of-6 attempted free throws. The freshman put up her highest point total since her career-high 22 points on Dec. 19.
“She’s moved up the scouting report and people know her,” said Doughty. “She has the ability to score at all three levels… she hasn’t shot the three that well in games recently, so I was happy she knocked down her first couple.”
With Marist subbing out starters and rotation players in the fourth quarter, they secured a comfortable lead and carried momentum into their weekend game to complete the Buffalo gauntlet against Canisius.
Before tonight’s game, Doughty published a letter to Marist students on the Marist Athletics social media pages, thanking fans for an electric atmosphere that has powered the Red Foxes to a 6-1 record at home.
“With both us and the men doing well, it would be great to get McCann rocking with students again as well as the community…we missed them over break so that was a welcoming addition…hopefully we can continue to entice more people to come to our games as the semester goes on.”
A three-game win streak under their belt, the Red Foxes take on the Golden Griffins at 2 p.m. at McCann Arena on Jan. 23.
Edited by Dan Aulbach
Graphic Credit: Quinn Difiore
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