Sophomore Chantelle Wilson had a team- and career-high 19 points in a win over Buffalo Saturday.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senior guard Eva Cunningham (East Aurora/Iroquois) scored seven of her 15 points in overtime as the Niagara University women’s basketball team picked up a 68-65 non-conference win over the University at Buffalo Saturday night at Alumni Arena.

Cunningham sank a three-point field goal to give Niagara a 61-59 with 2:57 left in the extra session. After UB’s Brooke Meunier scored to make it 64-62, sophomore forward Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) scored and was fouled. Ambrose sank the foul shot for a 65-64 lead with 2:01 to play. Cunningham then sank four free throws in the game’s final 12 seconds to give the Purple Eagles the win.

Niagara improves to 5-3 overall with the victory. The win was Niagara’s 18th in the 25-game series and the Purple Eagles’ third in as many overtime games against the Bulls. Niagara’s last win at UB came via a 66-61 decision on Nov. 20, 1999.

Sophomore guard Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) scored a career-high 19 points in the contest with a career-best five three-pointers. Wilson scored Niagara’s first points of the game with a three and then added another three to open the Purple Eagles’ scoring in overtime. Sophomore forward Toni Smalley (Thornville, Ohio) snared a career-high 10 rebounds to go with 10 points as she recorded her first collegiate double-double. Ambrose added 14 points and a career-high nine rebounds.

The Purple Eagles opened the game with a 10-0 run before Meunier scored UB’s first points with 14:14 to play in the first half. After Niagara’s 15-4 game-opening run, the Bulls (1-6) answered with a 6-0 run. Niagara then got three-pointers by Wilson and freshman guard Michele Manfredi (Pittsburgh, Pa.) as part of an 8-0 run for a 23-10 lead. UB closed the half with a 16-5 run to make Niagara’s lead two points, 28-26.

UB opened the second half with an 8-4 run for a 34-32 lead after a three-pointer by Allison Bennett. Niagara then went on a 15-1 run as Wilson scored five points and Ambrose and Smalley each netted four. UB came within one point, 51-50 after a basket by Belinda Gibb with 4:27 remaining. Smalley scored before Meunier tied the game with a three-pointer at the two-minute mark. Cunningham sank a runner in the lane and Bennett answered to force overtime.

Niagara’s sophomore center Jennifer Roueche (Niwot, Colo.) blocked a career-best four shots in the game.

The Purple Eagles will play at Oakland (Mich.) on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.