LEWISTON, N.Y. -- Niagara University has hired Saint Joseph's assistant Jada Pierce to become its women's basketball coach.
Pierce was hired on Tuesday after spending the past three seasons working under Cindy Griffin, helping the Hawks reach consecutive NCAA tournament appearances in 2013 and '14. She has 18 seasons of experience as an assistant coach split between the Division I and II levels.
Pierce replaces Kendra Faustin, who left the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference program three weeks ago to become head coach of Division II school Ferris State in her native Michigan.
The Purple Eagles went 77-169 in eight seasons under Faustin.