NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Senior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Niagara University women’s basketball team (10-6, 2-3 MAAC) to a 71-51 victory over Rider University (1-15, 0-5 MAAC) Friday night at the Gallagher Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.

Ambrose’s second basket of the game, at 17:57, allowed her to be the 19th Purple Eagle to score 1,000-or-more career points.

The Purple Eagles broke a 32-32 tie in the second half with nine-straight points to take a 41-32 lead after a layup by junior Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.). Rider cut the lead to six, 41-35, before Niagara went on another run, this one a 10-1 run, for a 51-36 lead after back-to-back Manfredi baskets.

Manfredi finished with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season and third in her career. Senior guard Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) scored 12 points in a reserve role while freshman guard Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) added 12 points.

Kelli Sawyer led Rider with 17 points, five assists and four steals.

Niagara returns to action Sunday when it hosts MAAC leader Marist at 2 p.m. in the Gallagher Center.