Sophomore Shaunna Ambrose had a career-high 25 points Wednesday vs. Vermont. |
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The one-two punch of senior Eva Cunningham (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) and sophomore Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) fueled the Niagara University women’s basketball team to an 84-76 non-conference win over Vermont Wednesday night at the Gallagher Center. Niagara improves to 1-1 with the victory.
Cunningham had a game-high 27 points to go with six assists and six steals while Ambrose scored a career-high 25 points to go with six assists. Cunningham (15) and Ambrose (13) and sophomore Toni Smalley (Thornville, Ohio), who scored 13 of her career-best 15 points in the second half, combined for 41 of Niagara’s 47 second-half points.
Vermont (1-2) had a 38-37 lead at halftime despite shooting 27.8 percent (10-of-36) from the field. The Catamounts were helped in the first 20 minutes by a 30-14 rebounding edge.
The Catamounts took a 41-39 lead early in the second half after a three-point field goal but that would be the last lead they would have for the game. Smalley sank a baseline jump shot to tie the score at 41 and she proceeded to score the Purple Eagles’ next eight points as they took a 49-43 lead.
Niagara built a 13-point lead, 61-48, after a three-pointer by sophomore Jessi Tomasin (Hamilton, Ont.). Vermont eventually cut the lead to four points, 63-59, on a layup by Brittney Cross with 7:14 left. Both teams missed shots on their next possession before Ambrose buried a three-pointer from in front of the Niagara bench and was fouled. She sank the foul shot to give the Purple Eagles a 67-59 lead.
Cunningham sank four free throws in the final 15 seconds to clinch the win. In the game, Niagara sank 21 of 22 free throws while Vermont made 19 of its 20 free-throw attempts.
Sophomore Jennifer Roueche (Niwot, Colo.) posted career-high totals in rebounds (nine), assists (three) and blocked shots (three).
The Purple Eagles return to action at 5 p.m. Saturday against Eastern Michigan in the Best Western Roundball Classic in Tampa, Fla.
