NEW YORK (Interstat) — The Manhattan Lady Jaspers erupted for 27 points in a decisive third quarter to overcome a sluggish first half and defeat the winless Niagara Purple Eagles 60-42 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game on Thursday night at Draddy Gymnasium.

The game’s defining stretch began after halftime, with Manhattan trailing 22-16. The Lady Jaspers, who managed just 16 points on poor shooting in the opening half, found their rhythm in a stunning 21-2 run over a six-minute span in the third period. The surge transformed a competitive contest into a comfortable lead, showcasing the offensive firepower that had been absent earlier.

Manhattan’s turnaround was fueled by its backcourt. Junior guard Brianna Davis, from the Bronx, scored 10 of her team-high 18 points during the pivotal quarter, while Spanish guard Elisa Solé Sanchez added 7 of her 13 points in the frame. The pair combined for quick transition scores and timely outside shooting that dismantled Niagara’s defensive structure.

Niagara, which fell to 0-24 this season, had controlled the game’s tempo early. The Purple Eagles led 13-10 after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 22-16 by halftime, capitalizing on Manhattan’s 12 first-half turnovers and several blocked shots. Talia Dial led Niagara with 10 points, but the team’s offensive struggles persisted as it shot under 30 percent from the floor for the game.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably Manhattan’s third-quarter explosion. After shooting a collective 6-of-31 from the field in the first half, the Lady Jaspers connected on 10-of-16 attempts in the third period. The run featured a balanced attack: Davis hit a three-pointer and converted free throws, Solé Sanchez scored on drives and from deep, and center Colette Mulderig of Scranton, Pennsylvania, contributed inside. Mulderig finished with 16 points, 4 blocks, and 4 rebounds.

Niagara, which has now lost 39 consecutive games dating back to last season, had no answer for the surge. The Purple Eagles were held to just nine points in the third quarter, missing 11 of their 14 shot attempts and committing five turnovers that Manhattan converted into easy points. The Lady Jaspers finished with 19 points off 21 Niagara turnovers.

Despite the loss, Niagara showed defensive tenacity early. The Purple Eagles recorded six blocks in the first half, with reserves Jisca Bila and Jordyn Williams of Buffalo each contributing two. Williams also had three assists. Tyasia Freeman added 8 points for Niagara.

For Manhattan, which improved to 6-18, Croatian guard Hana Mühl facilitated the offense with 4 assists to go with 9 points in 38 minutes of play. The Lady Jaspers also dominated the glass in the second half, finishing with a 45-34 rebounding advantage, led by Agar Farres Garcia’s game-high 12 rebounds.

The game was a rematch of a January 10 meeting, which Manhattan won 74-53. While the final margin was similar, the path was different, as the Purple Eagles posed a stiffer challenge for twenty minutes before the Lady Jaspers’ overwhelming third-quarter performance sealed the outcome.

The announced attendance was 112. Both teams return to MAAC action on Saturday. Manhattan will host Canisius, while Niagara travels to face Iona.