The Tip-Off

The Niagara women’s basketball will head to Pittsburgh, Pa. for a 7 pm contest with the undefeated Duquesne Dukes (5-0) on Friday night at the Palumbo Center.

Start The Clock

-  Erika Harris recorded her first-career double-double, 10 points and 11 rebounds, against Buffalo on Nov. 25.

-  On Nov. 25, Jennifer McNamee moved into a tie for eight place in all-time career 3-pointers with 110.

-  McNamee’s 91.7 percent (11-12) free throw percentage is third in the MAAC.

-  Niagara is 2-9 all-time against the Dukes.

-  NU is 27-50 versus A-10 opponents.

Last Time Out

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Niagara fell to Big Four rival, the Buffalo Bulls, 87-62 on Tuesday night at Alumni Arena.  Jennifer McNamee  led the Purple Eagles (1-3) with 21 points and senior Erika Harris grabbed a double-double.

Tis the Season for Giving

The Purple Eagles have been in a giving mood to one another. Niagara averages 14 assists per game, had a season-high 19 assists against Oakland on Nov. 16 and ranks fourth in the MAAC in assists per game. Erika Harris leads the team with 4.0 dishes a game and is fifth in the conference.

Strong at the Line

Niagara started the season making 11-straight free-throws, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the line at Michigan State. The Purple Eagles entered their Nov. 22 contest with Youngstown State shooting 88.9 percent (16-18) and were tied for second in the nation in free throw percentage. Leading the Purple and White is sharp-shooter Jennifer McNamee. She is 11-for-12 at the line and ranks third in free throw percentage in the MAAC.  

Raining 3’s

Jennifer McNamee has entered the 100 3-pointer club at Niagara. The Oxford, Ohio native made her 100th career 3-pointer at 10:26 in the first half against Oakland on Nov. 16. McNamee went on to set a career-high in points (26) and 3-pointers (6) in the game. She is now tied for eighth with Jessica Kemp with 110 3-pointers.

On the Court

Duquesne Dukes (5-0)

The Dukes are 5-0 and are off to their best start since the 1998-99 season. Duquesne has comfortably defeated all five opponents with an average scoring margin of 24.4 points. The Dukes have three players averaging in double-figures with junior forward Rachel Frederick (11.8), junior guard Keri Pryor (10.8) and senior guard Kristi Little (11.2).

Against the Dukes (Duquesne leads 9-2)

Niagara trails in the series that began on December 16, 1979, 2-9. Niagara won that meeting on that day, 80-51, as part of the Scranton Poinsettia Tournament. The Purple Eagles only other win came on December 8, 1992, 78-73, at the Gallagher Center.

Last Meeting – January 2, 2008, Duquesne won 67-48

NIAGARA UNIV., NY. - Sarah Wilson led all Purple Eagle cagers with 15 points, but the Niagara women’s basketball team dropped a non-conference contest to Duquesne via a 67-48 margin.

Against the A-10

Niagara has a 27-50 record against teams in the A-10 conference. The most opponents the Purple Eagles have played against is Big Four rival St. Bonaventure; the Bonnies hold a 29-22 advantage. Niagara’s best record versus a A-10 team is 2-1 against Saint Joseph.