Senior Colleen Toetz tied her career high with 26 points in a 65-54 win over Marist Friday night.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Senior Colleen Toetz (Parma, Ohio) scored a game- and career-high tying 26 points to lead the Niagara University women’s basketball team (13-7, 7-4) to a 65-54 win over Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference leader Marist (12-8, 8-3) Friday night in front of 503 fans at the Gallagher Center.

Toetz has previously scored 26 points in a game twice in her career, both times coming this season as she performed the feat against Cleveland State, Dec. 2, 2003, and against the University at Buffalo, Dec. 13, 2003. Toetz also made 4 of 5 three-point field goals to help power the Purple Eagles.

Senior Ann Mimm (Girard, Pa.) had 12 points while freshman Shaunna Ambrose ( McKees Rocks, Pa.) had a career-high 10 points in a reserve role.

Niagara made three of its first four field goals before missing its next eight shots. Marist responded and took a 10-6 lead before a Mimm three-point field goal gave the Purple Eagles an 11-10 lead. The teams traded runs for the remainder of the first half before Niagara closed the half with an 8-2 run for a 34-29 lead.

Toetz scored seven of Niagara’s first nine second-half points to keep the Purple Eagles in the lead. Niagara’s lead reached double digits for the first time when sophomore Danie Mosca (Baltimore, Md.) hit a three-point field goal for a 54-44 lead with 7:07 to play.

Niagara made its final eight foul shots on its way to the win. Junior Eva Cunningham (East Aurora/Iroquois) had a game-high seven assists while Toetz led the way with six rebounds and three steals.

Marist was led by Maureen Magarity’s 16 points while Steph Del Preore had a game-high 10 rebounds.

Niagara will play Manhattan Sunday at 1 p.m.