Junior Shaunna Ambrose

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – After opening a 14-7 lead, the Niagara University women’s basketball team could not stop the University at Buffalo Saturday night at the Gallagher Center. UB outscored Niagara 28-13 to end the first half and the Bulls never looked back in recording a 68-45 non-conference victory.

Junior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) lead Niagara (1-4) with 15 points off the bench while classmates Toni Smalley (Thornville, Ohio) and Jessi Tomasin (Hamilton, Ont.) each scored 11 points. UB (2-3) was led by Brooke Meunier’s 17 points. Heather Turner and Stephanie Bennett each recorded 12 points while Jamie Schiebner snared 13 rebounds.

Niagara opened its 14-7 lead with 13:19 to play in the first half behind Smalley and Tomasin, as each scored six points during the run. UB chipped away and took an 18-17 lead on a Meunier three-point field goal with 8:59 left in the half. The Bulls never trailed, opening a 12-point lead, 33-21, with 2:03 left in the half.

The Purple Eagles couldn’t find their shooting touch in the second half, making only 5 of 25 shots. UB scored 32 points in the paint and registered a 42-22 edge in rebounds.

Niagara look to rebound Tuesday when it plays Saint Bonaventure at 7 p.m. in Olean.