NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. -- With every game counting toward a postseason bye, the Niagara University women’s basketball team (12-11, 4-8) has an opportunity to move up in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings when it begins a two-game road trip this weekend. It meets Rider University (1-22, 0-12) Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Iona College (14-9, 9-3) Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Purple Eagles lost their last outing Feb. 3, 65-55 to Loyola.

The Broncs lost their 12th-straight game Feb. 4, losing to Fairfield, 73-57.

The Gaels had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 52-47 loss at Saint Peter’s Feb. 4.

Niagara leads Rider (13-9) and Iona (25-10) in the all-time series.