NU’s Third Horizon Foe

Niagara is back at the Gallagher Center for a Sunday afternoon game against the Cleveland State Vikings of the Horizon League. The Purple Eagles will look to avenge last December’s loss in Cleveland.

 The Purple Eagles played their final home game of 2009 at Hofstra on Thursday night where they suffered a 70-49 setback. Niagara’s next two games are against teams from the state of Ohio (the home state of five Purple Eagles). Cleveland State is the first of the Ohio based schools to visit Monteagle Ridge and it currently leads the all-time series with NU at 12-8.

Ready for Action

s Niagara suffered a 70-49 defeat to the Hofstra Pride on Thursday night in Hempstead, N.Y. It was the first meeting between the schools since Nov. 1989.

s Freshman guard Kayla Stroman earned her first-ever MAAC Rookie of the Week  honors after posting stats of 15.5 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 spg and 3.0 rpg. She is fourth in the MAAC in assists.

s The Purple Eagles are fourth in the MAAC in points per game (61.9), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (33.1) and third in free throw percentage (73.1).

s Jennifer McNamee (13.8) and Liz Flooks (13.3) are the top two scorers on the team and rank in the top 15 in the conference. McNamee is second in the MAAC with 2.6 3-point field goals

s Niagara trails in the all-time series against Cleveland State, 12-8, and have won three of the last five meetings.

s Niagara is 13-26 against the Horizon League. Niagara played two other Horizon League teams, Loyola (Ill.) and Illinois-Chicago, over Thanksgiving.  

On the Court

Cleveland State Vikings (2-5)

After winning its season opener, Cleveland State has lost five of its last six games. The Vikings, who return four starters from last season team, are led by senior guard Kailey Klein who leads the team with 12.1 ppg. CSU also gets contribution from junior guard Shawnita Garland and senior guard Jessica Roque.

Against the Vikings (Vikings lead 12-8)

Niagara trails in the series, 12-8, but has won four of the last six games.  NU’s last win was on Nov. 12, 2006 (84-83). The Purple Eagles are 6-4 at home versus the Vikings.

Last Meeting - December 21, 2008

Niagara 61, Cleveland State 80

Against the Horizon League

Niagara 13-25 versus the Horizon League. The Purple Eagles played two Horizon League teams for the first-time in program history in UIC and Loyola over the Thanksgiving holiday. Niagara has played Cleveland State the most (20) among teams in the conference and will play each other today from the Gallagher Center.

Getting Defensive

Niagara has turned it up on the defensive end. The Purple Eagles held Bucknell its season-low 41 points, including 18 in the first half, and tying a season-high 28 turnovers. They followed that performance by shutting down the Binghamton Bearcats, limiting Binghamton to 19 second half points, in a comeback 57-52 win.

Balanced Contributions

Niagara has been getting consistent contribution from several players, lately. Four Purple Eagles have scored in double-figures in the same game three times this season. Jennifer McNamee, Liz Flooks and Kayla Stroman have been a part of all three games, while Ali Morris (Bucknell) and Rachele Folino (Buffalo) are the others.