Monmouth Hawks (2-3, 0-0 MAAC) at Niagara Purple Eagles (2-3, 0-0 MAAC)
Friday, December 2, 2016 | 7:00pm ET
Gallagher Center, Niagara University, NY
With 45 bench points to Lehigh's 18, the Monmouth University women's basketball team earned its second win of the season with a 73-62 win over Lehigh in the Christmas City Classic consolation game on Sunday. Freshman Kayla Shaw hit five three-pointers en route to 17 points, while junior transfer Kayla Quintana contributed 16 points, four steals, three rebounds, two blocks and two assists in the win. The Hawks snapped a three game losing skid to improve to 2-3 on the year. Monmouth will stay on the road to open up play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference as they face Niagara on December 2 before taking on Canisius on December 4.
SCOUTING THE NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara has mirrored Monmouth's record in the early part of 2016-17. Both teams won their season opener, as the Hawks bested Robert Morris 69-56 and the Purple Eagles earned a 65-43 victory over St. Bonaventure. Both programs then dropped their next three contests with Monmouth falling to St. Francis Brooklyn, Clemson at home, and Hartford. Niagara lost to Michigan, Buffalo, and #4 Maryland at home. Each team snapped their three game losing streak in their previous games, with Monmouth defeating Lehigh 73-62 and Niagara outlasting Cleveland State 67-49. The Purple Eagles are led by junior forward Victoria Rampado, who is averaging 18.6 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game through the first five games.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES
Monmouth and Niagara will be meeting for just the eighth time, as the Hawks have a 4-3 all-time advantage. The series began in 2013-14 after Monmouth joined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. In the first career matchup, Niagara barely escaped Monmouth, earning the 48-45 win despite 10 points and 8 rebounds from Danica Dragicevic. In their last meeting on February 19, 2016, Monmouth earned the 68-55 win in New York as Jamiyah Bethune scored 17 points, Christina Mitchell registered 14 points, and Sarah Olson scored 13 points.
