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Game 9
Niagara Purple Eagles (2-6, 1-1 MAAC) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (5-3, 0-0 MAC)
Wednesday, December 7 – 7:00 p.m.
Memorial Athletic & Convocation Center
Radio: WGR 550 AM – Todd Callen
Internet: Niagara Sports Network
 
   The Niagara Purple Eagles conclude their four-game road trip with a midweek matchup with the Kent State Golden Flashes on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
 
Scene Setter
•  Niagara is in the midst of a four-game road swing which started with a defeat at North Texas on November 25. Seven of Niagara's first nine games are on the road.
•  The Purple Eagles step back into their slate of non-conference games after splitting their MAAC opening weekend. After falling at Marist on December 2, NU convincingly defeated defending MAAC champion Iona, 74-58, on December 4.
•  Niagara and Kent State are both tied for 58th and 61st, respectively, in the nation in total blocks (38) and blocks per game (4.8).
•  This will be Niagara's second meeting with a MAC opponent this season. NU opened the season hosting Big 4 rival Buffalo.
 
Tipoff Tidbits
•  The Purple Eagles snapped a few streaks in their 74-58 win over defending MAAC champion Iona on December 4. NU halted a seven-game losing streak to the Gaels while also picking up its first win at Iona since 2009. NU also collected its first road win in 11 attempts.
•  Matt Scott recorded his seventh double-double, and first of the season, with 15 points and a team-high 10 rebounds at Marist on December 2.
•  Kahlil Dukes is the only Purple Eagle to score in double figures in every game, including a career-high 23 points at North Texas.
•  Dominic Robb leads the MAAC and is 26th in the nation with 2.5 blocks per game while also leading the MAAC and is 22nd in the nation in total blocks (20).  Robb has had at least on block in each game, including a streak of at least two blocks through the first seven games.
•  Niagara has outrebounded its opponents 96-67 (+29) in the last two games, including grabbing 52 rebounds at Marist for the program most in eight seasons.
 
Perfect Dukes
•  Kahlil Dukes is one of eight players in the nation to be perfect at the free-throw line (minimum 40% minutes played and 2 shots per game to qualify).
•  Dukes is 20-for-20 at the charity stripe which is tied for SECOND in the nation.
•  The school record for consecutive free throws made is held by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy who made 27 straight during the 1969-70 season.
 
Leading Man
•  Matt Scott leads Niagara in points per game (19.4), assists per game (3.9), steals per game (1.1), and free throws made per game (5.9).
•  Matt Scott is the only player to be ranked in the MAAC top-10 in points, rebounds and assists. 
•  Scott's five 20-point games lead the MAAC.
 
On The Court
Kent State Golden Flashes (5-3, 0-0 MAC)
•  The Golden Flashes are in the midst of a season-long four-game homestand which started with a win over Grambling State.
•  Three players are averaging in double figures - Jimmy Hall (18.5 ppg), Jaylin Walker (11.5 ppg), Deon Edwin (11.3 ppg).
•  Jimmy Hall leads the MAC in assist/turnover ratio (3.4) and fifth in scoring, while Deon Edwin is third in the MAC with 2.0 steals per game.
•  Kent State is second in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (16.88) and 14th in the nation in rebounding margin (10.1).
•  Kent State is 230-50 (.821) at home in the last 17 years, including 3-0 at home this season.
 
Against the Flashes (Niagara leads 7-3)
•  Niagara leads the all-time series, 7-3, in a series that started during the 1955-56 season.
•  The Purple Eagles and Golden Flashes most recent meeting was in November 2013 as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.
•  Prior to that meeting, the teams haven't played since 1993.
 
Last Meeting – November 23, 2013
Kent State 102, Niagara 97
 
KENT, OHIO – The Niagara men's basketball team wrapped up play in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic with a narrow defeat to the Kent State Golden Flashes, 102-97, on Saturday night.
 

The Series	Niagara leads, 7-3
Last Game	November 23, 2013
	Kent State 102, Niagara 97
Last Niagara win	December 7, 1993
	Niagara 70, Kent State 54
Last Kent State win	November 23, 2013
	Kent State 102, Niagara 97
Last Niagara win at Kent State	December 7, 1993
	Niagara 70, Kent State 54
Last Kent State win at home	November 23, 2013
	Kent State 102, Niagara 97
Current Streak	Kent State, W1
Coach Casey vs. Kent State	0-1

 
Electric Shooting Nearly Set Records
•  The Purple Eagles had one of their hottest shooting games in program history in their 93-74 win versus Drexel on Nov. 23.
•  The Purple Eagles shot 83.3 percent (10-for-12) from the 3-point line which is the second highest percentage in program history. The program record is 84.6 percent (11-for-13) which was set on Jan. 19, 1993 against St. Bonaventure. 
•  Niagara shot 62.3 percent (33-for-53) from the field which was 5.6 percent shy of tying the program record of 67.9 percent (36-for-53) which was also set versus the Bonnies in 1993.
•  Both the field goal and 3-point field percentage are MAAC highs.
 
Making The "Free Ones" Count
•  Niagara leads the MAAC and is 38th in the nation in free throw percentage (.758).
•  Niagara shot 96.3 percent (26-for-27) from the free-throw line against Marist on December 2 for its second highest percentage in program history (minimum 20 made). The record is 96.8 (30-for-31) against Fairfield on Jan. 31, 1998.
•  Matt Scott leads the MAAC and is 25th in the nation in free throws made (47). Scott's career-high 14 free throws at Rutgers are the most in the MAAC this season.
 
Dominating The Boards
•  NU outrebounded Marist, 52-33, in its MAAC opener on December 2.
•  The 52 rebounds are the most since Niagara's double-overtime victory over Rider in the 2009 MAAC Tournament semifinals (58) and the most in regulation since the 2008-09 season opener against Towson (59).
•  The 52 boards are also tied for the most in the MAAC this season.