NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – A three-goal outburst early in the third period broke a scoreless tie and lifted the No. 4/5 Mercyhurst College women's hockey team to a 3-0 win over Niagara Sunday afternoon at Dwyer Arena.

In a game that saw both teams combine for zero goals and just 21 shots through the first 40 minutes, Mercyhurst (22-5-0, 11-0-0 CHA) broke through the Niagara defense with three goals in a span of five minutes and 28 seconds.

Junior Jess Jones netted the eventual game-winner and recorded her 100th career point in a Mercyhurst uniform when she scored the game's first goal at the 1:46 mark of the third period. She becomes the second player this season to accomplish the feat and the 12th player in MC history to record at least 100 points in a career.

Mercyhurst put the finishing touches on the game with a pair of power-play goals after back-to-back Niagara penalties that resulted in a 5-on-3 man-advantage. Senior assistant captain Vicki Bendus converted the first power play at 6:32, while freshman Christine Bestland put the Lakers up by three at 7:12.

Bestland and Bendus finished the game with two points apiece, while senior captain Meghan Agosta earned an assist on the final goal, moving her career point total to 282 and putting her four points away from becoming the NCAA's all-time point scorer.

Junior Hillary Pattenden earned her second straight shutout and 20th win of the season with 15 saves. Standing at 73-11-3, she can become the college's all-time leader in wins with two more victories, surpassing class of 2008 netminder Laura Hosier, who finished her career with 74.

Mercyhurst outshot Niagara 30-15, including 18-6 in the third period. Niagara's Jenni Bauer made 27 saves and allowed one even-strength goal as the Lakers went 2-for-4 on the power play. MC held the Purple Eagles scoreless on five man-advantage chances.

Mercyhurst returns home next weekend to host CHA rival Wayne State on Friday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.