Junior Shaunna Ambrose had a team-high 16 points Friday night.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Saint Peter’s College finished the first half with a 19-2 run and the Peahens rolled to a 76-61 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball victory over Niagara University Friday night at the Yanitelli Center.

Niagara, 3-19, 2-11 MAAC, made only eight of 25 first-half field goal attempts. Saint Peter’s, 9-13, 5-8, was led by Khalisha Lewis’s 16 points. Johnell Burts and Tania Kennedy added 12 each for the Peahens. Kristen Hood (10) also scored in double figures.

The Purple Eagles were led by junior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) as she had 16 points, 14 coming in the second half. Juniors Toni Smalley (Thornville, Ohio) and Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) each had 10 points.

Niagara was within two points, 17-15, in the first half when sophomore Michelle Manfredi (Pittsburgh, Pa.) scored on a layup 13:34 into the game. Saint Peter’s then went on a 19-2 run to take a commanding 38-17 lead at halftime. Manfredi scored on a jumper with 30 seconds remaining to stop the run.

Ambrose and Smalley scored the first four points for the Purple Eagles in the second half, but the Peahens went on a 9-2 run to take a 26-point lead, 49-23 with 16:25 left. Saint Peter’s took its largest lead of the game at the nine-minute mark when Kennedy sank a three-pointer to make the score 65-34.

Niagara shot better in the second half, making 46.7 percent of its shots from the field, 50 percent from three-point range and all 13 of its free throws. Saint Peter’s shot better, making 52 percent from the floor, its one three-pointer and 11 of 14 from the charity stripe.

The Purple Eagles return to action Sunday when they play at Iona College at 2 p.m.