Junior Shaunna Ambrose had a game-high 15 points Friday.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Rider University used a 6-0 run midway in the second half and another 6-0 run late as the Broncs recorded a 63-52 women’s basketball victory over Niagara University Friday night at the Gallagher Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.

The first 6-0 run, fueled by back-to-back three-point field goals, gave the Broncs a 46-36 lead with 7:38 to play. Niagara fought within three points, 53-50, on a Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) basket with 2:22 remaining but could not get any closer as the Broncs responded with their second 6-0 run. The second run was capped by two Janele Henderson free throws with 38 seconds left for a 59-50 lead. Rider outscored Niagara by a 37-23 margin in the second half.

Rider (3-21, 2-13 MAAC) was led by Chris Catalanatto, who scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half. Kara Borel and Henderson added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Niagara (3-21, 2-13 MAAC) got a game-high 15 points by Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) and 14 points from Toni Smalley (Thornhill, Ohio). Manfredi led Niagara with nine rebounds.

Smalley scored 10 points in the first half as the Purple Eagles had a 29-26 lead at halftime. Borel gave Rider a 32-31 lead, the Broncs’ first of the game, with a layup with 15:36 remaining. The Broncs never trailed again.

Niagara returns to action Sunday as the Purple Eagles host Saint Peter’s College at 2 p.m. in the Gallagher Center.

Niagara Women’s Basketball Game Notes

Rider vs. Niagara – Feb. 17, 2006

Gallagher Center

Final Score: Rider 63, Niagara 52

• With tonight’s 63-52 loss the Purple Eagles fall to 3-21 overall, 2-13 in the MAAC and 3-6 at the Gallagher Center.
• For the third time this season, Toni Smalley was perfect from the free-throw line going 6 for 6. Smalley was 4 for 4 at Iona and 7 for 7 at Boston College to give her 17 consecutive free throws.
• Smalley had a career-high two blocks tonight.
• With three three-point field goals tonight, Shauna Ambrose tied her season high. Ambrose needs four three-pointers to tie Jessie O’Donohue on Niagara’s career list.
• Agronin used his 18^th starting line-up of the season going with Shauna Ambrose, Toni Smalley, Michelle Manfredi, Cathy Rutter and Chantelle Wilson.