NIAGARA UN., N.Y. – Junior forward Sara Prybyl (Mars, Pa.) turned in a career performance but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 19-point halftime deficit as the Niagara University women’s basketball team (8-6, 0-3) lost 56-52 to Saint Peter’s College (6-6, 2-1) Saturday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action in the Yanitelli Center.

Prybyl posted career highs of 16 points and 15 rebounds, recording her first collegiate double-double. Sophomore Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) had 12 points and classmate Kayleigh Scannell (Lowell, Mass.) scored a personal-best seven points. Junior Cathy Rutter (Old Bridge, N.J.) collected a career-high five steals.

Niagara trailed 38-19 at the half after Saint Peter’s used a 26-7 run to close the period. Tania Kennedy scored 11 of her 15 points and Elina Kalnina seven of her 12 points in the opening half.

The Purple Eagles began a valiant comeback trailing 54-31 with 7:40 left in the game. Scannell scored seven consecutive points to start a 23-2 run to close the game. Prybyl scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the second period, including six points and eight rebounds during the run. The Peahens’ lone two points came on free throws with 4:45 remaining.

The Purple Eagles were without the services of senior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.), junior Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) and freshman Jen McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) for violation of team rules. The trio will return to the lineup when Niagara plays at Manhattan College Monday at 7 p.m. in Draddy Gym.