Junior Juan Mendez is averaging 22.2 points per game for the Purple Eagles.

NIAGARA UN., N.Y. -- Riding a two-game winning streak and posting victories in four of it last five games, the Niagara University men’s basketball team (12-5, 6-2) is set to travel to the Big Apple this weekend.

Niagara will have its second shot at first place Manhattan (13-4, 8-1) Friday when the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s top two scoring teams collide at 7 p.m. in Draddy Gymnasium.

Niagara enters the Manhattan contest in third place but one game closer to the first place Jaspers. The Purple Eagles avenged an earlier loss at Rider with an 82-69 victory Jan. 25 in the Gallagher Center.

Manhattan is coming off its fourth loss of the season when it had its perfect MAAC mark blemished with a 79-62 loss to Iona in the Mulchahy Center Jan. 25.

Manhattan leads the series, 38-17, and won the first meeting, 90-81, Jan. 9.

The game will not be televised but can be heard live on WJJL (1440 AM) or on the Niagara website at www.PurpleEagles.com.