NIAGARA UN., N.Y. --  The Niagara University men’s basketball team (9-6, 4-3) returns to the friendly confines of the Gallagher Center this week when it hosts Rider College (9-6, 5-1) Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Purple Eagles enter the game looking to extend their 10-game home winning streak and snap a two-game losing streak.

Niagara lost a pair of road games last week that left it in fourth place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference behind Fairfield (5-1), Rider, and Marist (5-1).

Rider has won five of its last six games, including an 89-69 victory over Loyola on Monday.

The contest can also be heard live on the Niagara Athletic web site at www.PurpleEagles.com.