Senior Jennifer Roueche broke the school record for career blocks Monday.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – A late run wasn’t enough as Niagara University (3-20, 2-12) lost 70-64 to Iona College Monday afternoon in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game at the Hynes Center in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Junior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) scored a game-high 20 points, shooting 50 percent from the field (5-10). Sophomores Michelle Manfredi (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Sarah Wilson (St. Catharines, Ont.) each scored 12 points. Manfredi had a team-high seven rebounds. Senior Jennifer Roueche (Niwot, Colo.) broke the school record for career blocks, registering three vs. the Gaels. She now has 110 career blocks.

Niagara trailed by four points, 62-58, when Ambrose made one of her six free throws with 1:37 left. The Purple Eagles held the Gaels without a field goal the final 3:05, but they sank 8 of 10 from the foul line to outscore the Purple Eagles down the stretch, 8-6.

Niagara trailed 45-34 early in the second half before it went on an 11-2 run to pull within two points, 47-45, on a Manfredi free throw. The teams traded baskets until junior Toni Smalley (Thornville, Ohio) and Manfredi combine for three free throws to make it 60-56 with 3:05 left.

Making 7 of 8 free throws, the Gaels took a nine-point lead, 69-60, with 31 seconds left. Junior Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) sank a jumper and had a layup for the final tally.

In the first half, Iona used a 22-4 run to take a 31-13 lead with 7:47 left. Niagara responded with a 17-8 run fueled by two three-pointers from both Ambrose and Sarah Wilson to cut the Gaels’ lead to nine points, 39-30, at the half.

Niagara returns to the Gallagher Center for a 7 p.m. game vs. Rider Friday.