LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Niagara’s womens basketball team halted a six-game skid by earning a 58-57 decision over host Rider. The Purple Eagle cagers improve to 3-6 (1-1 MAAC) on the year, while Rider falls to 3-6 (0-2 MAAC).

It was a tale of two halves as Niagara came out hot offensively in the first half, while getting into a defensive chess game in the second half.

"It was a hard fought game and I am glad to get out of there with the victory," head coach Kendra Faustin stated. "We are excited to get a league win on the road and I am proud of the composure that we showed throughout the game. It is difficult to win conference games on the road."

During the first half, Niagara jumped out to a quick lead, utilizing a 10-1 run. Niagara was playing so well that the Broncs didn’t make their first field goal until seven minutes into the game. Niagara led 28-9 with nine minutes left in the first half, but Rider would turn up the intensity to draw closer; as the score was 40-27 at the half. Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) and Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) had eight points to lead the Purple Eagles at the half.

The second half saw Niagara enter a defensive struggle that would bind the two teams close until the end of the game. Rider would start out much like Niagara did in the first half, using a 9-0 run to draw within four points. Niagara scored their first points of the second half with 13:52 left to put the Purple Eagles up 43-36. Niagara continued to lead the back and forth contest until Janele Henderson’s trey tied the game at 51 with five minutes remaining.

The final five minutes of the game was chaotic, as Rider took a quick two point lead at 53-51, until Niagara struck back to take a 58-55 lead on Harris’s jumper with 1:33 left. A foul on Sara Prybyl (Mars, Pa.) allowed Ashley Anderson to go to the free throw line, where she made both shots to cut Rider’s deficit to 58-57 with 1:14 remaining. The last few minutes of the games saw both teams exchanging chances, until Janele Henderson’s desperation jumper clanked off the rim, giving Niagara the victory.

McNamee led the Purple Eagles with 13 points, with Harris netting 12 points and Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Tammy Meyers scored 18 for Rider.

After a week off for final exams, the Purple Eagles will play two non-conference games at the Gallagher Center against Cleveland State on Monday, December 17 and Jacksonville on Thursday, December 20.