Michelle Manfredi had nine points and 11 rebounds vs. Canisius Tuesday night.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Canisius College women’s basketball team used a 23-5 run to close the first half and went on to record a 71-54 victory over Niagara University Tuesday afternoon in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at the Koessler Athletic Center.

Canisius improves to 9-7 overall and 6-1 in the MAAC while Niagara is 2-14, 1-6. The loss was Niagara’s 12th consecutive road loss.

Sophomore forward Sarah Wilson (St. Catharines, Ont.) tied her career high with 17 points and set a personal best with five blocked shots. Wilson scored 17 points for the second-straight game. Her five blocked shots tied the most this season by a Purple Eagle set by senior Jennifer Roueche (Niwot, Colo.) against Albany (Nov. 19). Sophomore forward Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) had nine points and 11 rebounds to fall just short of her second double-double in three games.

The Purple Eagles opened an 8-2 lead when Manfredi scored on a fast-break layup. Canisius responded with a 7-0 run for a 9-8 lead at 14:57. The teams traded baskets and Canisius took a 21-18 at 11:11. The Golden Griffins then closed the half with its 23-5 run for a 44-23 lead.

Niagara had a scoring drought of almost eight minutes following a baseline jumper by junior Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) at 9:36. Sophomore Sara Prybyl (Pittsburgh) snapped the streak with a jump shot from the top of the key with 1:42 to play.

The Purple Eagles used a 17-11 run to begin the second half and cut the lead to 15, 55-40, when Wilson hit her second three-point field goal of the half. Wilson also blocked a career-best five shots.

Chantelle Wilson had a season-best seven points for the Purple Eagles.

Becky Zak led Canisius with 12 points while Jessica Steeves added 11 points and Mere Mullins netted 10.

Niagara will play Iona at 7 p.m. Friday at the Gallagher Center.