BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) led three players in double figures as the Niagara University women’s basketball team (14-15, 6-12) beat cross-town rival Canisius College (16-13, 8-10), 68-62, Sunday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball action at the Koessler Athletic Center.

Ambrose registered a game-high 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Sophomore Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) came off the bench to tie her career high with 16 points. Senior Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.) scored 14 points. Junior Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) had a career- and game-high 15 rebounds, including seven offensive boards.

Canisius was led by Amanda Cavo’s 16 points. Megan Lyte added 12 points and Jessie Lamparski 11 points.

With the game tied at 53 with 5:08 left, Niagara went on a 9-2 run to take a 62-55 lead with 47 seconds left. Harris scored six points in the run. Canisius cut the lead to 66-61 with 16.4 left when Lyte scored seven-straight points, including a conventional three-point play with 16 seconds left. Ambrose and Harris then combined to sink two of four free throws to seal the win.

Canisius opened the game with an 11-1 run, but Niagara came back with a 15-0 run to take a four-point lead 16-14. Ambrose had two three-pointers and Wilson one to fuel the run.

The teams traded baskets the remainder of the half until Cavo hit a three-pointer with a second on the clock to give the Golden Griffins a 31-30 lead at halftime.

Niagara returns to action March 1 when it travels to Bridgeport, Conn. The Purple Eagles will be the No. 9 seed in the 2007 Bank of America MAAC Tournament and play No. 8 seed Manhattan at 2 p.m.