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Game 26
Niagara Purple Eagles (8-17, 5-9 MAAC) vs. Canisius Golden Griffins (15-10, 8-6 MAAC)
Friday, February 10 – 8:00 PM
Location: Koessler Athletic Center
Broadcast: ESPN3 – Robert Lee, Malcolm Huckaby, Andy Helwig
Radio: WGR 550 AM – Todd Callen

   The Niagara University Purple Eagles will cross the Grand Island Bridges to take on the Canisius Golden Griffins on Friday at 8 p.m.
 
Scene Setter
•  Niagara versus Canisius is the longest current rivalry in the MAAC. Niagara has played Canisius more than any other program in a series that started during Niagara's inaugural season in the 1905-06.
• The Purple Eagles are 20-10 in the last 30 meetings, including defeating the Golden Griffins in the first meeting this season on January 23 at the Gallagher Center.
•  The Purple Eagles led wire-to-wire, including four scorers in double figures, en route to a 91-84 victory for their first home win in the series February 2012.
•  NU is in search of its first season sweep since the 2011-12 season, and is in search of its first win at Canisius since February 2015 when the Purple Eagles used a season half surge to top Canisius, 82-71. NU shot 78.9 percent from field in the second half to set a Koessler Athletic Center record.
•  The teams have split the last 10 meetings at the KAC.
 
Tipoff Tidbits
•  Kahlil Dukes is SIXTH in the nation in free-throw percentage (.928). Dukes, who has had streaks of 20 and 17 consecutive made free throws, had a career-high 12 free throws at Quinnipiac on February 4.
•  Dominic Robb leads the MAAC and is 14th in the nation in blocks per game (2.6) and is first in the MAAC and TENTH in the nation in total blocks (65). Robb, who is fourth on the single-season blocks list, is one block away from tying the sophomore record and seven blocks away from tying the single-season record.
•  Dominic Robb had a game-high six blocks at Fairfield to join Joe Arlauckas (1984-85) as the only Purple Eagle to have multiple six-plus blocks games. Robb had a career-high seven blocks against LIU Brooklyn on December 21. 
•  Kahlil Dukes has had at least four assists in eight straight games, including tying a career-high nine assists against Canisius.
•  Kahlil Dukes led all scorers with a career-high 29 points and Matt Scott scored 20 points for his team-leading 11th 20-point game against Quinnipiac on February 4. Scott's 11 20-point games are third in the MAAC.
•  Niagara scored 51 first half points against Canisius on January 23 which is its highest first half point total since scoring 51 against Marist on January 3, 2013.
•  Matt Scott recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points while leading the game with 11 rebounds in the win versus Rider on January 28. His 10 career double-doubles are fourth most in the program since the 2006-07 season.
•  Niagara leads the MAAC and is 23rd in the nation in blocked shots per game (5.3) and leads the MAAC and is 16th in the nation in total blocks (132). 
           
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (15-10, 8-6 MAAC)
•  Since losing to Niagara on January 23, Canisius has won three of its last four games, including back-to-back road victories at Siena and Saint Peter's.
•  Four Golden Griffins are averaging double figures - junior guard Kassius Robertson (17.4 ppg), junior forward Jermaine Crumpton (16.6 ppg), senior forward Phil Valenti (13.5 ppg) and senior guard Kiefer Douse (10.3 ppg).
•  Kassius Robertson leads the conference in 3-point field goals made per game (3.1) and is sixth in the MAAC in field goal percentage (.417)                                               
•  Canisius leads the MAAC in field goal percentage (.462), assists per game (18.0) and assists/turnover ratio (1.37).        
 
Against the Golden Griffins (Niagara leads 102-80)
•  Niagara and Canisius have been split as of late when it comes to contests at the Koessler Athletic Center, as each team has won five of the last 10 meetings at Canisius.  
•  The Purple Eagles are 10-6 in their last 16 games at Canisius, including winning three of the last five trips.
                                                                                                                       
Last Meeting – January 23, 2017
Niagara 91, Canisius 84
 
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Four Purple Eagles scored in double figures as Niagara led wire-to-wire in a 91-84 victory over archrival Canisius on Monday night
 

The Series	Niagara leads 102-80
Last Game	January 23, 2017
	Niagara 91, Canisius 84
Last Niagara win	January 23, 2017
	Niagara 91, Canisius 84
Last Canisius win	March 3, 2016
	Canisius 102, Niagara 97 (3OT)
Last Niagara win at Canisius	February 24, 2015
	Niagara 82, Canisius 71
Last Canisius win at Home	January 22, 2016
	Canisius 70, Niagara 61
Current Streak	Niagara, W1

 
Battle of the Bridge
• The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its 11th season in 201617
• After Niagara claimed the inaugural competition, Canisius won the series the next two years, before Niagara claimed the Canal Cup at the end of the 2009-10 season. With the series tied 2-2, Canisius has won the last six competitions.
• Canisius leads 11-5 through 10 competitions this season. The winner of the basketball game will receive two points.