Niagara University, N.Y. — Jordyn Williams scored 13 points and Jade Rutledge added seven, including the go-ahead free throws down the stretch, as Niagara held off Rider 56-52 Saturday at the Gallagher Center in Niagara University, N.Y.
 
Niagara led wire to wire in the first half, closing the opening quarter on a decisive 8-0 run that set the tone. With Niagara trailing 12-10 in the first quarter, Chasity Wilson drilled a 3-pointer to give the Purple Eagles the lead for good, then followed it with a steal and a fast-break layup to push the advantage to 15-12. Wilson capped the quarter with a mid-range jumper with four ticks on the clock, sending Niagara into the second up 17-13.
 
The Purple Eagles extended their lead to as many as 13 points in the second quarter behind a burst of transition offense. Jisca Bila converted a fast-break layup and Rutledge added a jumper in the paint to push the score to 27-18, forcing a Rider timeout. Tyasia Freeman punctuated the run with another fast-break bucket to make it 31-18. Niagara took a 35-25 lead into the locker room.
 
A rough third quarter nearly erased the advantage. Rider outscored Niagara 15-8 in the period, trimming the deficit to three at 43-40 entering the fourth.
 
Niagara rebuilt its lead in the fourth, with Williams converting a layup and a jumper to push the margin back to nine. But Rider refused to fold. The Broncs tied the game at 51 when Deb Okechukwu completed a layup with 1:39 to play to give Rider its first lead since early in the game at 52-51.
 
The Purple Eagles responded immediately. Williams hit one of two free throws with 1:12 remaining to tie the game at 52-52, then Tyasia Freeman swiped a steal with 56 seconds left to keep possession. After Williams' jumper rimmed out, Rutledge was fouled on the offensive board with 29 seconds to play and calmly converted both free throws to put Niagara ahead 54-52. Freeman sealed it with two free throws with 12 seconds left, making it 56-52.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara improves to 35-28 all-time against Rider following Saturday's win
• Niagara snapped a 26-game losing streak
• The Purple Eagles are on a two-game winning streak against the Broncs
• It has been 350 days since the last time the Purple and White were in the win column, their last win was against Rider on Feb. 21, 2026
• Kenedie Haruna recorded a career best in rebounds with 11, Wilson tied a career best with five
• Haruna recorded Niagara's first double-double of the year with 10 points and 11 rebounds
• The Purple and White tied a season high in free throws made with 19
 
Up Next
Niagara closes out the 2025-26 season with a two-game road trip with their first stop being in Hamden, CT as they take on Quinnipiac on Thursday February 26 for a 6 p.m. start time