NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Loyola College (13-9, 8-4) opened the game with a 6-0 run and never looked back, downing the Niagara University women’s basketball team (12-11, 4-8), 65-55 Saturday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Gallagher Center.

Freshman guard Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) led Niagara with 13 points, eight coming in the second half. Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rocks, Pa.) added 12 points.

Loyola was led by Jill Glessner’s 18 points while Vika Sholokhova added 16 points and 13 rebounds in a reserve role. Loyola’s Meghan Wood scored 11 points.

Following Loyola’s game-opening run, Niagara cut the lead to 10-7 when junior Cathy Rutter (Old Bridge, N.J.) hit a baseline jump shot on the fast break at 14:52. Loyola ran off nine-straight points as Niagara missed 10 field goal attempts and committed three turnovers. The Purple Eagles’ Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) scored at 6:51 to make it 19-9.

In the second half, Loyola pushed its lead to 15, 48-33, when Glessner hit an eight-foot jump shot with 11:47 remaining. The Purple Eagles eventually cut the lead to eight, 52-46, when junior Sara Prybyl (Mars, Pa.) hit a three-point field goal from the corner at 7:08. Prybyl’s three-pointer was one of Niagara’s six second-half three-point field goals. Loyola scored on its next three possessions to keep Niagara at bay.

The Purple Eagles return to action Feb. 9 when they travel to Lawrenceville, N.J., to take on Rider University at 5;30 p.m. in Alumni Gym.