The SUNY Niagara women’s basketball season ended disappointingly.
The 16th-seeded Thunderwolves saw a halftime lead disappear in a 74-70 loss to No. 13 Schoolcraft (Michigan) in the consolation bracket of the NJCAA Division II national tournament Wednesday in Joplin, Missouri.
After losing to Schoolcraft 80-44 in December, Niagara held a 37-30 advantage going into halftime, thanks to an inspired performance from Niagara Falls resident Atarah Walker. The freshman led the team with 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench over 14 minutes in the first half.
The Thunderwolves had a 24-18 advantage on the glass, with 11 of those rebounds on the offensive end. Schoolcraft led 28-27 with 4:39 left in the second quarter and Niagara rattled off 10 consecutive points, with Isabella Karabetsos knocking down a pair of 3-pointers and Walker chipping in four points.
Niagara shot 50% in the second half, but committed nine turnovers and lost the rebounding battle 24-14, grabbing just one offensive rebound. Meanwhile, Schoolcraft’s Siena McNitt caught fire, knocking down three 3-pointers and scoring 17 of her game-high 27 points after halftime.
The teams went back and forth in the second half, with the Thunderwolves leading by two entering the fourth quarter and seven after a Walker jumper with 7:14 to play. Schoolcraft’s Sharon Smith answered a Krystal Smith basket to take a 71-70 lead with 3:25 to play and never gave it back. Niagara had four chances to tie or take the lead in the final 1:27 but missed all four shots, including a 3 to tie the game with 12 seconds remaining.
Walker finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. Makayla Thomas scored 11 of her team-high 17 points in the second half, while Smith finished with 16 points and six rebounds.
The Thunderwolves finished the season 27-5.