Jan. 2, 2008

Box Score

LEWISTON, N.Y. - Jade Singleton had a game-high 20 points as the Duquesne women's basketball team stopped a two-game losing streak with a 67-48 win at Niagara Wednesday night.

Singleton, who was three points shy of tying her personal-best, was 10-13 from the field and led Duquesne with seven rebounds. Kristi Little also scored in double figures with 10 points.

The Purple Eagles were led by Sarah Wilson with points 15.

"We stepped up out defense when needed," said head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio. "We got great contributions from each and every player."

Duquesne, who led the game from start to finish, improved to 8-6 on the season. A 3-pointer from Little opened the Dukes' lead to 10 points at 17-7 five minutes into the game. Niagara scored the next five points to get within five points, but that was as close as the Purple Eagles would get the rest of game.

DU's lead would get as high as 12 points in the first half, as a pair of Samantha Pollino foul shots closed the scoring for the Dukes and gave Duquesne a 36-28 lead going into halftime.

A Singleton layup at the 11:28 mark of the second half gave Duquesne their largest lead of the game, 21 points, as the Dukes started the half on a 16-5 run to lead 52-31. DU's continued to clamp down on Niagara as the Purple Eagles could only manage 20 second half points.

The Dukes improved to 4-4 on the road this season and recorded their fourth consecutive victory over Niagara.

"This was a good win, especially coming off the Eastern Michigan loss," said McConnell-Serio.

The Dukes dominated in the paint, outscoring the Purple Eagles 30-14. Duquesne also got 22 points off the bench, compared to eight for Niagara. Six different players combined for a season-high 12 steals. Keri Pryor set a career-best with four blocks while Singleton tied her career mark, also with four blocks. Lauren Reinshuttle's seven points was her personal-best.

Notes
• The Dukes' eighth win of the year has surpassed last season's win total
• Little's consecutive free throw streak ended at 16
• Little has recorded double-figures in scoring every game this season
• Duquesne improved to 9-2 all-time against Niagara