Sophomore Michelle Manfredi had a season- and team-high 12 points Thursday vs. Marist.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Despite a season-high 12 points and nine rebounds by sophomore guard Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.), the Niagara University women’s basketball team (1-11, 0-3) dropped a 70-50 decision Thursday night to Marist (7-4, 3-0) in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Gallagher Center.

Sophomore forward Sara Prybyl (Pittsburgh, Pa.) sank a jump shot to tie the game at 8 with 14:37 to play in the first half. Marist responded with a 17-2 run for a 25-10 lead with 9:51 left in the half. Marist extended its lead to 17 points, 38-21, at the half.

The Purple Eagles scored the second half’s first basket when senior Jennifer Roueche (Niwot, Colo.) sank a hook shot with 19:32 remaining to make it 38-23. Niagara would not score again until Manfredi sank two free throws with 10:25 left to make it 56-25.

Freshman Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) sank a field goal with 8:26 remaining to start a 15-3 run for the Purple Eagles. Junior Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) capped the run with a three-point field goal to bring Niagara within 19, 61-42.

Niagara junior Jessi Tomasin (Hamilton, Ont.) had a career-best three steals. Junior Toni Smalley (Thornhill, Ohio) netted 12 points for the Purple Eagles.

Marist was led by Fifi Camara’s 15 points.

Niagara returns to the court Saturday with a 2 p.m. conference contest against Siena at the Gallagher Center.

Niagara Women’s Basketball Game Notes

Niagara vs. Marist - January 5, 2005

Gallagher Center

Final Score: Marist 70, Niagara 50

• Tonight’s loss drops Niagara to 1-11 on the year and 0-3 in the MAAC.
• Junior Shaunna Ambrose is out with a stress fracture to her right foot. The team’s leading scorer is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.
• Toni Smalley played with a broken nose.
• Niagara started its sixth different starting lineup of the year. A total of 12 of the 15 Purple Eagles have started this season.
• Tonight’s starting lineup was Jennifer Roueche, Toni Smalley, Cathy Rutter, Jessi Tomasin, Michelle Manfredi
• Jennifer Rouche had four blocks vs. Marist leaving her 22 shy of tying the all-time record. Tonight blocks marked her fifth game with two-or-more blocks. Her season high so far is five vs. Albany (Nov. 19).
• Michelle Manfredi had a season- and team-high 12 points and also led the team team with nine rebounds, a season high for the sophomore.
• Jessi Tomasin registered a career-high three steals tonight.