Sophomore Shaunna Ambrose scored a career- and game-high 31 points in Niagara's win Saturday.

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Sophomore Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) scored 16 of her career- and game-high 31 points in the second half to help fuel the Niagara University women’s basketball team’s come-from-behind 59-54 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory over Manhattan Saturday afternoon in Draddy Gym.

With the win, Niagara is now 9-4 overall, 4-0 in the MAAC and atop the league standings. Manhattan, which was undefeated in conference action entering the game, fell to 6-6 and 2-1.

Trailing 42-28 with just over 11 minutes to go in the game, Niagara mounted its come back. Putting on a full-court press and picking up the tempo of the game, the Purple Eagles tied the game at 51 with a 23-9 run capped by an Eva Cunningham (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) layup with 3:19 remaining. Ambrose scored seven points in the run and Cunningham hit a pair of three-pointers.

Manhattan took its final lead of the game eight plays later when Michele Bernal-Silva hit one of two free throws with 1:58 left. The Purple Eagles then got a three-pointer from Ambrose and three free throws to seal the win.

We were down by 16 in the second half and I was concerned," Niagara head coach Bill Agronin said. "But with Shaunna Ambrose and Eva Cunningham I knew we had hope."

Niagara scored 41 points in the second half after trailing 28-18 at halftime. The Purple Eagles shot 47.6 percent from the field, 62.5 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the foul line in the second stanza.

Cunningham finished with 12 points and Ambrose set personal bests in free throws (15) and free-throw attempts (17).

Manhattan was led by Serra Sangar and Donnette Reed with 13 points each.

Niagara puts its four-game winning streak and five-game home winning streak on the line when it returns to the Gallagher Center for a three-game home stand. The Purple Eagles host Fairfield Jan. 14 at 11:30 a.m.