Sophomore Shaunna Ambrose led the Purple Eagles with 21 points.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s basketball had three players, Shaunna Ambrose, Eva Cunningham and Toni Smalley, each score 20 or more points as the Purple Eagles recorded a 75-63 non-conference victory over St. Bonaventure Wednesday night at the Gallagher Center.

Ambrose, a sophomore forward from McKees Rock, Pa., scored a game-high 21 points with 14 of those coming in the first half. Cunningham (Sr., East Aurora/Iroquois) had 20 points to go with seven assists and three steals. Cunningham has now scored 1,313 points in her career to rank ninth all-time at Niagara. Smalley (So., Thornville, Ohio) scored a career-high 20 points to go with a team-high eight rebounds, tying a personal best.

The Purple Eagles, now 2-3, trailed 46-41 with 12:49 remaining after a layup by the Bonnies’ Tory Vyborny. Niagara then went on an 11-0 run for a 52-46 lead with 9:11 to play. St. Bonaventure cut the lead to three points, 58-55, but Smalley hit a shot clock-beating three-point field goal for a 61-55 lead with 5:19 remaining and Niagara was not threatened again as it made six-straight foul shots to clinch it.

St. Bonaventure held a 36-35 halftime lead despite committing 16 turnovers. The Bonnies were aided by a 23-13 rebounding edge and Audrey Latendresse’s 10 first-half points.

In the second half, Niagara shot 50 percent (15-of-30) from the field while holding St. Bonaventure to 28.6 percent (8-of-28).

Vyborny led the Bonnies (1-3) with 21 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Niagara opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play against Rider Friday at 7 p.m. at the Gallagher Center.