NIAGARA UN., N.Y. --  The Niagara University men’s basketball team (9-6, 4-3) looks to split its first series of the season when it hosts Manhattan College (9-6, 4-3) in the legendary Taps Gallagher Center on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Purple Eagles enter the game looking to extend their 11-game home winning streak and snap a seven-game losing streak to the Jaspers.

Niagara snapped a two-game losing streak Thursday and won its eighth consecutive game in the Gallagher Center with a 102-97 victory over Rider. The win keeps Niagara in the hunt for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title.

Manhattan sports a modest two-game winning streak after defeating Canisius, 86-77, on Thursday. Saturday’s game is the second of a three-game road swing for the Jaspers.

The contest can seen live on MSG and ESPN Fullcourt, and also be heard live on the Niagara Athletic web site at www.PurpleEagles.com.