Senior Juan Mendez was named the MAAC and Niagara's Athlete of the Week Monday.

NIAGARA UN., N.Y. -- The Niagara University men’s basketball team (3-1) will open its 16th season of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play when it travels to Buffalo Wednesday to play cross-town rival Canisius (1-1) at 7:05 p.m. in the Koessler Athletic Center.

The Purple Eagles bring a three-game winning streak into the game. Their most recent victory was over St. John’s, 102-81, Nov. 27 at the Gallagher Center.

Canisius enters Wednesday’s game looking for its second consecutive win after beating Little Three rival St. Bonaventure, 67-61, Nov. 27.

The game will be televised tape delay by Adelphia Cable on cable Channel 13. The game can also be heard live on WJJL (1440 AM) or on the Niagara athletics website at www.PurpleEagles.com.