LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Senior Shaunna Ambrose (McKees Rock, Pa.) registered her seventh 20-plus point game of the season to help the Niagara University (13-11, 5-8) women’s basketball team beat Rider University (1-23, 0-13), 66-60, Friday in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Alumni Gym.

Ambrose scored a game-high 22 points and connected on 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Juniors Sara Prybyl (Mars, Pa.) and Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) each registered 13 points and eight rebounds.

Rider’s Shaunice Parker led the Broncs with 16 points off the bench.

Trailing 37-34 at halftime, Rider pushed its lead to six points, 45-39, on a layup by Kara Borel at 17:15. Niagara came back to take a 46-45 lead on a three-pointer by senior Chantelle Wilson (Burlington, Ont.). The teams traded baskets and had three more ties before the Purple Eagles used a 6-0 run to take a 60-54 lead on an Ambrose free throw with 3:41 remaining.

The Broncs made it a two-point game with 1:50 left on an Ashley Anderson jumper, but Manfredi and Ambrose connected on four-straight free throws to seal the win.

In the first half, Niagara opened with an 11-4 run and then built a 12-point lead as Prybyl scored six of her 10 first-half points and Ambrose had 10 of her 14 points for a 27-15 lead with 7:18 left. Rider countered with a 22-7 run to close the half with a three-point lead.

Niagara outrebounded Rider, 42-39, and made 22 of 30 shots from the foul line.