LEWISTON, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University women's basketball team dropped its season opener to Niagara, 75-51, Wednesday evening at the Gallagher Center.

Nadechka Laccen chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds for the Brown and White before being forced to exit the game due to injury at the end of the first half. Isabellah Middleton added nine points and six rebounds while Payton Fields also tallied nine points.

It was a back-and-forth first 10 minutes with both teams coming out firing. Niagara was able to pull ahead by as many as eight in the period, 17-9, following a 7-2 spurt.

The Bonnies used a 6-0 run of their own to end the first, pulling within two, 17-15.

Laccen opened the second period with five straight points, pushing the Bonnies ahead, 21-17.

That would be the biggest lead of the quarter by either team as the Bonnies and Purple Eagles headed into the break all square at 28-28.

Laccen exited the game late in the second quarter, and the shorthanded Bonnies saw the Purple Eagles (1-0) begin the second half with a 12-2 run to extending their lead to double digits, 40-30.

Niagara held the Bonnies to just six points in the third quarter, outscoring Bona's 26-6 in the period to take command of the contest.

The hosts maintained their double-digit lead throughout the fourth, earning the victory.

The Bonnies (0-1) are set to make their home debut Saturday when they host Robert Morris as part of a doubleheader with the men's team. The women's game tips off at 1:30 p.m. with the men to follow at 4:00 p.m. During halftime of the women's matchup, the Bonnies will honor the No. 42 in a jersey recognition ceremony for program greats Sue Shay and Katie Healy.

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