Sophomore Michelle Manfredi registered her first collegiate double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Despite a career-high 19 points and 11 points by sophomore Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.), the Niagara University women’s basketball team lost 49-43 to Rider Thursday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Alumni Gym.

Rider took a 24-22 lead at halftime and never gave it up in recording the win, its first of the MAAC season. Rider is now 2-12 overall and 1-4 in MAAC play while Niagara drops to 2-12, 1-4.

Niagara freshman Kristina Walton (Cleveland) snared a career-high 14 rebounds to go with four steals. Niagara came within two points, 30-28, on a jump shot by sophomore Cathy Rutter (Old Bridge, N.J.) with 15:28 left to play. The Broncs then went on a six-point run for a 36-28 lead with 14:24 left. The Purple Eagles would cut the lead to three points twice, the last coming when sophomore Sarah Wilson (St. Catharines, Ont.) sank one of two free throws with 10:20 remaining, but Niagara could not come any closer.

Rider was led by Monica Welborn’s 15 points while Kara Borel and Shaunice Parker each scored 10 points.

The Purple Eagles suffered from 28.1 percent (18 of 64) shooting from the field and 15 turnovers. Niagara, which entered the game with the conference’s best free-throw shooting percentage, sank only six of 14 foul shots. Niagara was also 1 of 15 from beyond the three-point arc.

Niagara returns to action Saturday with a 7 p.m. game at Marist.