SANBORN, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup defined more by struggle than skill, the Canisius Golden Griffins found just enough offense to outlast the winless Niagara Purple Eagles 57-41 in women’s basketball on Wednesday night.

The game, played before an intimate crowd of 363 at the Gallagher Center, was a contest of frigid shooting and frequent turnovers, but Canisius used a decisive 18-11 third-quarter edge to create separation before completely stifling Niagara in the final period.

Niagara, which fell to 0-16 overall, managed a mere three points in the fourth quarter, missing its final 10 field goal attempts. The Purple Eagles finished the game shooting 27.9 percent from the floor and a dismal 28.6 percent from the free-throw line. Their offensive rating of 58.0 points per 100 possessions underscored a night of profound offensive difficulty.

Canisius, which improved to 3-13, was not markedly more efficient but did enough to secure its third victory of the season. The Golden Griffins shot 43.8 percent from the field and were led by a balanced scoring effort. Mary Copple, a guard from Brighton, Michigan, paced the team with 11 points. She was joined in double figures by Irene Rey Pineda of Madrid, Spain, and the duo of Shariah Gailes and Corniya Clay, who each added 10 points. Gailes, from Brooklyn, Ohio, also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

The most important stretch of the game arrived late in the third quarter with Canisius holding a narrow 31-27 lead. Over the final 3:38 of the period, the Golden Griffins engineered a 9-4 run to take a nine-point advantage into the final quarter. The run was capped by a Corniya Clay jump shot just before the buzzer, giving Canisius a 40-31 lead and critical momentum.

Niagara never threatened in the fourth. The Purple Eagles’ only points came on a single free throw from Caliana Fenceroy with five seconds remaining. Fenceroy, from Omaha, Nebraska, led Niagara with 11 points. The team’s offensive woes were compounded by 14 turnovers, which Canisius converted into 13 points.

While Niagara forced 24 Canisius turnovers and recorded 13 steals, they could not capitalize on the extra opportunities, scoring only 15 points off those miscues. The Golden Griffins controlled the interior, outscoring Niagara 30-26 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle.

The victory broke a three-game losing streak for Canisius in MAAC play. For Niagara, the search for a first win continues after a 16th consecutive defeat to open the season. Both teams resume conference play on the road Saturday, with Canisius traveling to face Mount Saint Mary’s and Niagara heading to the same opponent on Monday.

The game’s tempo was slow and grinding, with Canisius using 67 possessions and Niagara 71. The defensive effort from both sides was evident, but the Golden Griffins’ ability to marginally outperform Niagara’s shooting woes, particularly in the second half, proved the difference in a game where neither team could find consistent offensive rhythm.