POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist College proved why it is unbeaten at home and in first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference by defeating Niagara University, 80-59, Sunday afternoon in women’s basketball action at the McCann Center.

The Red Foxes improved to 17-4 overall, 10-0 in the league and 9-0 on their home court. The Purple Eagles drop to 11-10 overall and 3-7 in the conference.

Senior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) led Niagara with 13 points, while a trio of juniors, Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.), Sarah Wilson (St. Catharines, Ont.) and Sara Prybyl (Mars, Pa.) each had six rebounds.

Marist’s Nikki Flores led four Red Foxes in double figures with a game-high 18 points and six assists.

The Red Foxes opened the game with 21-3 run and never looked back. Niagara cut the first half lead to 25 points when sophomores Kayleigh Scannell (Lowell, Mass.) and Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) scored in the final minute.

Marist built its largest lead, 33, at the 14:19 mark when Rachele Fitz scored from the free-throw line to make it 63-30.

A basket by freshman Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio), a three-pointer by senior Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) and a layup by sophomore Kristina Walton (Cleveland, Ohio) cut the lead to 25 points, 71-46, with 6:16 left.

Scannell and rookie Rachele Folino (Novi, Mich.) combined for seven points to make it 73-53, but Marist outscored Niagara 7-6 to close the game.

Niagara returns to action Thursday when it hosts Siena College at 7 p.m. in the legendary Taps Gallagher Center.