Senior Eva Cunningham scored a game-high 16 points in Niagara win over Army Friday.

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s basketball team used a 19-8 run with under 12 minutes left in the game to erase an eight-point deficit and beat Army, 55-52, Friday afternoon in Christl Arena.

Trailing 44-36 with 11:36 remaining, senior Eva Cunningham (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) scored seven of her nine second-half points during a 12-1 run to give Niagara a 48-45 lead with 5:25 left.

Army’s Jen Hansen then tied the game on a three-pointer before sophomore Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa./Vincentian Academy) sank a pair of free throws to give Niagara the lead for good.

Both teams traded free throws before an Ambrose layup with 2:31 left gave the Purple Eagles a 53-49 lead. Cunningham made one of two free throws to give Niagara a five-point lead with 2:01 remaining.

Hansen knocked down her third three-pointer of the game with 1:44 to make it 54-52. The Purple Eagles turned the ball over with 1:24 and both teams missed shots before Ambrose was fouled with 14 seconds left. She made the second of two free throws and Army missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer.

"There was no real flow to the game, but it was a real good win for us," Niagara head coach Bill Agronin said. "Army played like an Army would. It was a real tough game. We made shots when we had to."

Cunningham and Ambrose each scored a game-high 16 points. Cunningham added a game-high seven rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes of action. Freshman Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Serra Catholic) grabbed seven caroms.

Army was led by Cara Enright with 14 points.

Niagara is now 7-4 on the season while the Black Knights dropped to 5-5.

The Purple Eagles return to action Jan. 6 when they travel to Jersey City, N.J., for a 7 p.m. Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference meeting with Saint Peter’s in the Yanitelli Center.