PITTSBURGH – For the first time this season, the Niagara University women’s basketball team (4-1) lost, dropping a 58-41 non-conference game to Duquesne University (1-1) Wednesday afternoon at the Palumbo Center.

Junior Sarah Wilson (St. Catharines, Ont.) came off the bench to lead the Purple Eagles offensively, posting her second career double-double with 14 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Classmate Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Niagara suffered from poor shooting, shooting 24 percent (15-62) from the field, 4 percent (1-27) from three-point range and 59 percent (10-17) from the free-throw line. The last time Niagara scored 41-or-fewer points was Jan. 10, 1998, when it lost 73-41 at Rider.

The Purple Eagles had a 29-22 lead at halftime, but Duquesne made an 11-0 run to open the second period and take a 33-30 lead. Niagara sophomore Kayleigh Scannell (Lowell, Mass.) scored at 11:04 for a 36-35 Purple Eagle lead, but Niagara then was held without a basket for the next 6:01.

Despite the scoring drought, Niagara made it a two-point game, 40-38, with 5:56 left when Wilson scored on a layup, but Duquesne then outscored the Purple Eagles 19-3 for the win.

In the first half, Niagara took the lead for good on an Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) layup at 13:09. The Purple Eagles then went on a 12-5 run to take a 22-13 lead. Wilson had three of her eight first-half points during the run.

Duquesne fought back to make it a four-point game, 22-18, when it strung together five-straight points with 5:07 left in the half.

The Purple Eagles outscored the Dukes the remainder of the period for a 29-22 halftime lead.

Niagara returns to action Sunday when it meets the Big East’s Syracuse at noon in the Carrier Dome.