POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — Justine Henry recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and the Marist Red Foxes used a dominant second quarter to pull away from the winless Niagara Purple Eagles for a 71-52 victory in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball on Saturday.

Playing before a crowd of 594 at McCann Recreation Center, Marist improved to 9-14 overall. Niagara’s arduous season continued, falling to 0-21.

The game’s decisive stretch came in the second period. After a competitive first quarter that ended with Marist holding a slim 12-13 lead, the Red Foxes seized control with a 23-6 blitz. The surge was fueled by efficient offense and disruptive defense. Marist shot 8 of 14 from the field in the quarter, including 4 of 7 from three-point range, while forcing eight Niagara turnovers.

Lexie Tarul, who finished with 17 points, ignited the run with a three-pointer just 30 seconds into the quarter. Chloe Escanillas and Julia Corsentino also connected from deep during the period, as the Red Foxes built a 35-19 halftime advantage. The Marist defense held Niagara to just 2-of-12 shooting in the quarter.

Niagara, led by a game-high 21 points from Chasity Wilson, showed resilience after halftime but could never seriously threaten the lead. The Purple Eagles won the fourth quarter 23-16, with Wilson scoring 11 points in the final frame, but the early deficit was too large to overcome.

Henry, a 6-foot sophomore from Long Island, was the anchor for Marist, adding two assists and two steals to her double-double in 31 minutes. Her performance continued a strong stretch of play, following a 14-point, six-rebound effort in a win over Canisius on Thursday.

Escanillas provided 11 points and five assists for the Red Foxes, while Corsentino added nine points off the bench. Marist finished the game shooting 49 percent from the field and an efficient 11 of 23 from three-point range.

For Niagara, Katarina Veljovic contributed eight points and five rebounds. The Purple Eagles struggled with their offensive execution, committing 21 turnovers against Marist’s defensive pressure and posting an offensive rating of just 73.6 points per 100 possessions. They were outrebounded 34-30, though they did secure 11 offensive boards.

Marist, which entered the game as a heavy favorite according to advanced statistical projections, has now won two straight conference games. Niagara’s search for its first victory continues, with its next opportunity coming on the road at Canisius on Tuesday.

The Red Foxes travel to face Fairfield on Thursday.