Sophomore Sarah Wilson registered her first collegiate double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

ALBANY – Niagara University scored the game’s last six points as the No. 10 seed Purple Eagles upset No. 5 seed Saint Peter’s College, 65-59, in a women’s basketball first round game at the 2006 Citizens Bank Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championship at the Pepsi Center.

The win advances Niagara to a quarterfinal game at 9:15 a.m. Thursday against No. 4 seed Iona College. The victory also snapped a nine-game losing streak the Purple Eagles and a six-game losing streak to Saint Peter’s in the MAAC Championship.

After a Saint Peter’s three-pointer to tie the game at 59 with 1:20 left, junior Jessi Tomasin (Hamilton, Ont.) drained a three-pointer from deep in the left corner to put Niagara back on top.

The Peahens then missed a three-point attempt, grabbed an offensive rebound, but Niagara’s Cathy Rutter (Old Bridge, N.J.) was fouled. The sophomore sank two of her career-high six free throws with 18 seconds remaining to put the Purple Eagles ahead, 64-59. Freshman Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) sank the back end of a two-shot foul for the final margin.

"Jessi’s three-pointer was a momentum-changing moment," Niagara head coach Bill Agronin said.

Sophomore Sarah Wilson (St. Catharines, Ont.) registered her first collegiate double-double, coming off the bench for a team-high 15 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Junior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) also had 15 points. Rutter had eight points and dished out a career-high seven assists.

After both team’s trading baskets the first six minutes, Saint Peter’s went on a 13-2 run. The Peahen’s Tiffany Jones powered the run with nine of her game-high 20 points.

Niagara responded with a 9-0 run to tie the game with 6:33 to play in the first half. The Purple Eagles got points from Ambrose, Wilson, sophomore Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) and Rutter.

Saint Peter’s eventually took a six-point lead, 35-29, but junior Toni Smalley (Thorneville, Ohio) cut the Peahens lead to three with a traditional three-point play. Saint Peter’s made one of two free throws for the final margin.

In the second half, the Peahens opened with a 7-2 run to take a 43-34 lead with 18:16 left in the game. But Niagara slowly chipped away at the lead, scoring the next seven of 11 points to trail, 47-43.

After Johnelle Burts hit a three-pointer to make it 50-43, Tomasin hit a three-pointer, Wilson added a jumper and three-pointer to tie the game at 50 with 6:34 left.

The team’s traded baskets until Rutter sank a running scoop shot and Wilson sank one of two free throws to give Niagara a three-point lead. Saint Peter’s Khalisha Lewis sank two free throws for the Peahens final points with 1:46 left.