BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s basketball team (6-2) closed the game with a 21-16 run but it was not enough as the Purple Eagles fell 70-59 to the University at Buffalo (3-5) Saturday night in non-conference action at Alumni Arena.

Niagara was led by Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) and her game-high 23 points. The 20-plus outing was the third of the season for Ambrose, who also now has 101 career three-point field goals after sinking two vs. the Bulls. Senior Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) finished with 18 points on a career-best six three-pointers. Wilson now ranks sixth all-time at Niagara with 112 three-pointers. She passed Jessica Kemp (2001-04) for sixth.

Buffalo had all five starters score in double figures, led by Rachelle Matthys’ 16 points. Heather Turner added 15 points and nine rebounds. Kourtney Brown scored 12 points while Belinda Gibb and Stephanie Bennett added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Purple Eagles began their comeback when Ambrose sank a layup before adding two free throws. Wilson then sank a three-pointer to bring Niagara within 11, 56-45, at 3:59. Freshman Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) sank two free throws before a steal and layup by sophomore Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) and a McNamee three-pointer make it 58-52 with 2:14 left.

After a UB basket, Ambrose sank two free throws before Harris drove the lane to bring Niagara within four, 60-56, with 1:25 left. The Bulls then started a free-throw shooting clinic, ending the game by making 10-straight foul shots in the final 53 seconds. Wilson added her sixth three-pointer with 24.9 seconds left to make it 64-59 but Niagara could not get any closer.

Buffalo took an early lead in the first half when it put together a 12-0 run, including three-pointers by Gibb and Matthys. The Bulls continued to build their advantage, taking a 23-12 lead on a Gibb jump shot with 11:08 left.

Niagara brought the score back to single digits when Wilson, Ambrose and junior Sarah Wilson (St. Catharines, Ont.) combined for a 7-0 run to make it 23-19.

Buffalo finished the half with a 10-5 run fueled by a 5-for-6 performance from the free-throw line.

Niagara returns to action Dec. 8 when it opens the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference portion of its schedule vs. Fairfield University at 7 p.m. in the Gallagher Center.