Senior Eva Cunningham had a double-double with a team-high 21 points and 11 assists Friday night.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s basketball team made 15 three-point field goals, including nine in the second half, as it downed Rider 78-70 Friday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles are now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Senior guard Eva Cunningham (East Aurora/Iroquois) led the way for Niagara with 21 points and 11 assists. She also had a career-high three blocked shots. Cunningham’s 11 assists tied her personal best.

Sophomore guards Jessi Tomasin (Hamilton, Ont.) and Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) each set career highs in scoring. Tomasin scored a career-best 18 points on a personal-best six three-pointers while Wilson netted 13 points on a career-high four three-pointers. In the second half, Wilson made all four of her three-pointers while Tomasin knocked down three.

Rider held a 34-26 lead with 2:13 to play in the first half before sophomore forward Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) made a conventional three-point play and Cunningham hit a layup to cut the lead to five points, 36-31. Tomasin then sank a long three-pointer with two seconds before the half to make it 36-34.

The Broncs (0-4, 0-1) built their lead to five points, 55-50, on the play of Leanne Moore. Moore, who scored a game-high 28 points, scored eight of Rider’s first 21 points in the second half.

A Cunningham three-pointer gave the Purple Eagles a 58-57 lead with 7:47 remaining. The teams traded the lead before Cunningham hit a layup and Tomasin sank a three-pointer for a 65-61 lead with 3:56 to play. Rider came within three points, 68-65, after two free throws Kara Borel before Wilson knocked in a three with 1:49 left to give the Purple Eagles a 71-65 edge. Tomasin sank another three with 31 seconds remaining and Cunningham sank four-straight foul shots for the final margin.

Niagara plays Loyola Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Gallagher Center.