NU In-Search of First Win

Niagara will entertain the Bucknell Bison from the Patriot League in a Wednesday Night showdown at 7 p.m. from the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles and Bison will play each other for the first time since 2000.

Niagara returns to the Gallagher Center after playing two games in Chicago this past Thanksgiving holiday. Jennifer McNamee led the Purple Eagles in scoring in both games, while averaging 18.5 ppg from 52.2 field goal percentage and 6-for-6 free throw shooting. The Purple Eagles will take on a Bucknell team that has already faced two MAAC opponents this season, going 1-1 in those games. Bucknell won the last and only meeting at Gallagher (Dec. 1, 2000).

Ready for Action

s Niagara spent the Thanksgiving Holiday in Chicago where it faced two Horizon League foes for the first-time ever. The Purple Eagles lost to the Illinois-Chicago Flames 77-59 on Wednesday night and had a narrow defeat to the Loyola (Ill.) Ramblers 65-62, when Kayla Stroman’s buzzer-beater was waived off. 

s Niagara is third in the MAAC in points per game (64.3), 3-point field goal percentage (35.7) and free throw percentage (74.3).

s The Purple Eagles have two players averaging in double-figures - Jennifer McNamee (16.3 ppg) and Liz Flooks (14.0). 

s Senior guard Jennifer McNamee jumped into fourth place all-time in 3-point field goals made against Loyola (Ill.)

s Freshman Kayla Stroman dished out a career-high eight assists on Nov. 25 versus UIC. The freshman guard is averaging 5.0 assists per game and ranks third in the MAAC. 

s Bucknell leads the series, 4-2, but haven’t played each other since Dec. 1, 2000.

s The Purple Eagles are 29-19 all-time versus the Patriot League.

Three-of-a-Kind

Niagara is third in the MAAC in three offensive categories. The Purple Eagles are third in points per game with 64.3, third in field goal percentage shooting 38.5 from the field and is third in free throw percentage at 74.3 percent.

Shooting Up the Record Book

Senior sharpshooter Jennifer McNamee is moving up the NU record book. She made her 170th career 3-pointer to move into fourth place.

Rare Wednesday Game

Today’s game is a rare Wednesday game for the Purple Eagles. The midweek game versus the Bison is the first of two Wednesday games this season. Niagara will face archrival Canisius on Feb. 3 at 11 am.

On the Court

Bucknell Bison (2-4)

Bucknell comes to the Gallagher Center with a 2-4 record with several close losses already this season. The Bison have faced two MAAC teams this season; a 62-55 loss at Iona and a 67-60 win at home versus Loyola. Bucknell features a young team which features no seniors. Sophomore guard Morgan Wrightson leads the team with 13.8 ppg. Freshman Rachel Voss was recently named Patriot League Rookie of the Week after averaging 10.0 ppg and 5.0 rbg in Bucknell’s 1-1 week.

Against the Bison (Bison leads 4-2)

Niagara trails 4-2 in the series that started on Jan. 4, 1988. Oddly enough, three of the six meetings have come on neutral courts. NU won two of the three neutral courts meetings, the Pittsburgh Tournament in the 1994-95 season and the Corestates Classic in the 1996-97 season. The Purple Eagles’ only home game in the series was on Nov. 23, 1999 and the Bison left Gallagher with a one point win, 77-76.

Against the Patriot League

Niagara has a strong hold on the Patriot League. The last time the Purple Eagles played a team from the PL was Colgate in the 2007-08 season opener and head coaching debut of current head coach Kendra Faustin; NU won 78-39. The Purple Eagles have faced the Raider the most out of any team in the league and has a 23-12 record against them.