SYRACUSE -- A 21-year-old pleads not guilty to assault charges following a stabbing after a fight on a Centro bus.

Syracuse police say 21-year-old Ciara Daniels got into a fight with 25-year-old Tammy Dowdell while they were waiting for the bus around 2:05 p.m. Tuesday. During the fight, police say Daniels stabbed Dowdell multiple times in the back and legs. Centro says the women tried to board the bus at E. Fayette Street and Westmoreland Avenue, south of Erie Boulevard, but continued fighting and got off again before the bus left that stop.

Authorities say two police officers in the area spotted the fight and they were able to give life-saving first aid to Dowdell. She was rushed to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition and then taken into emergency surgery. Dowdell is currently in serious condition.

Prosecutors say they've recovered the knife used in the crime. They also say Daniels confessed. Daniels' attorney says it was a case of self defense. Prosecutors say Daniels has three prior youthful offender convictions, several open cases and a probation revocation in her criminal history.

Daniels is being held on $50,000 cash bail or bond. She's scheduled to be back in court on October 24. The case will likely head to the grand jury.