Jan. 28, 2007

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Press Conference (Courtesy: MCTV)

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Junior guard Nikki Flores (Montvale, N.J.) eclipsed her career high in scoring for the second consecutive game, pouring in 18 to lead the Marist women's basketball team to an 80-59 home triumph over Niagara on Sunday. With their eighth straight victory, the Red Foxes improved to 10-0 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play and 17-4 overall.

Flores also tied her season high with six assists, a total which is just one off her career high. Her five rebounds were just one shy of her season high. She shot 4-for-7 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Flores had scored 16 in Friday's victory over Siena.

Marist hit its first nine shots from the field, and the Red Foxes were able to jump out to an early lead on the strength of a 19-1 run which encompassed a span of 4:42 in the first half. Red-shirt sophomore guard Julianne Viani (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) scored eight points in the run, including two three-pointers. Viani finished with 12 points, four assists and three rebounds.

For the third time this season - and second time in the last three games - Marist finished with four double-digit scorers. In addition to Flores and Viani, red-shirt junior center Meg Dahlman (Spencerport, N.Y.) scored 14, and freshman forward Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) added 13.

Marist took a 45-20 halftime lead, the third-largest advantage the Red Foxes have enjoyed after the first 20 minutes this season. The Red Foxes hit four three-pointers in the first half, while Niagara shot 0-for-10 from beyond the arc. Marist also limited the Purple Eagles to 24.2 percent shooting (8-for-33) from the field in the first half.

The Red Foxes' lead was 33 at its largest in the second half, while the Purple Eagles never cut the deficit under 20 after halftime. Eleven different Red Foxes scored, and although Sarah Smrdel (Mentor, Ohio) did not break into the scoring column, the junior forward tied her season with seven rebounds, which also led the team.

For the game, Marist shot 45.5 percent (25-for-55) from the field, 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from three-point range and 76.7 percent (23-for-30) from the free-throw line. The Red Foxes set season highs for free throws made and attempted in the game. Niagara shot 35.4 percent (23-for-65) from the field, 19.0 percent (4-for-21) from three-point range and 50.0 percent (9-for-18) from the free-throw line. The Purple Eagles, who lead the MAAC in three-pointers made and attempted, shot 6-for-42 from deep in their two contests against the Red Foxes this season. The Red Foxes also won their 45th consecutive game when holding an opponent under 40 percent from the field.

Senior guard Shaunna Ambrose led Niagara with 13 points, the only Purple Eagle to score in double digits. The Purple Eagles fell to 11-10 overall and 3-7 in the MAAC.

Marist won its sixth consecutive game against Niagara, completing a season sweep for the third straight season. The Red Foxes defeated the Purple Eagles by a score of 65-52 at Niagara two weeks ago.

Marist also completed its first perfect January in program history, going 8-0. The Red Foxes also held their sixth consecutive opponent under 60 points, tying a program record initially set in the 1990-91 season. It was also the fourth time this season Marist scored at least 80 points in a game. Marist won its 22nd consecutive MAAC home game before a crowd of 1,411 fans at the McCann Center.

Marist will return to action on Friday, when the Red Foxes will face Saint Peter's at 7 p.m. at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City, N.J. The Red Foxes defeated the Peahens 73-34 on Jan. 19. However, Marist has only once - Feb. 14, 2004, a 54-51 victory - at the Yanitelli Center in its history.