Niagara Purple Eagles (1-24, 0-14 MAAC) vs. Rider Broncs (8-17, 5-9 MAAC)

Sunday, February 15 at 2:00 P.M. ET

Live Audio and Video: GoBroncs.com

Live Stats: Gametracker

The Tip-Off

After another thrilling one-point end to a game, the Niagara Purple Eagles are in action to face the Rider Broncs. Niagara is unbeaten at Rider since 2006. 

Start The Clock

-  The Purple Eagles fell at Loyola on a last second shot, 64-63, on Feb. 13 on ESPNU.

-  Niagara played in its first-ever double overtime game on Feb. 8 at Fairfield (L, 66-65).

-  Niagara’s 95.2 (20-for-21) free throw pct. is the 15th best pct. in a game this season (min. 15 att.)(Feb. 8).

-  The Purple Eagles’ strength of schedule (SOS) of 130th is second in the MAAC (Loyola is first).

-  Liz Flooks is 32nd in the nation in free throw percentage (84.8 percent).

-  Liz Flooks and Jennifer McNamee rank 3rd and 6th, respectively, in the MAAC in free throw pct.

-  Flooks (13.4 ppg) ranks eighth in scoring in MAAC games only.

-  McNamee, leading scorer, has missed the last five games due to injury.

Close, but No Cigar

Niagara played its most competitive and closest game this season against one of the best teams in the MAAC on Feb. 8. Niagara fell 66-65 in double overtime at the Fairfield Stags (16-8, 11-2 MAAC). The Purple Eagles took a 26-24 halftime lead for only the second time this season, and twice made last second shots to send the game into overtime(s). Freshman guard Ali Morris made a running layup with three seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 52-52. Sophomore forward Liz Flooks made a jumper with 25 seconds left in the first overtime to send the game into double overtime at 60-60. Niagara shot 95.2 percent (20-for-21) at the free-throw line, including making 20-straight, which ranks as the 15th best percentage in a game this season.

...Part II

The Purple Eagles made it two-for-two in consecutive one-point road defeats. Niagara was denied a victory with a last second shot by Loyola in a 64-63 loss on Feb. 13 on ESPNU. Down 62-61 with 28 seconds left, Niagara brilliantly executed an inbound play under the basket with a Liz Flooks layup to take a 63-62 lead. Loyola’s Candice Walker answered by making an improbable fading-away jumper with 15 seconds left to give the Greyhounds a 64-63 lead. Freshman guard Ali Morris went coast-to-coast, but her layup rimmed out as time expired.

On the Court

Rider Broncs (8-17, 5-9 MAAC)

After leaving Western New York with a sweep (wins over Niagara and Canisius) on Jan. 23 and 25, the Rider Broncs lie in a three-game losing streak. Junior guard Tammy Meyers leads the Broncs in scoring (14.5 ppg), assists (3.6 apg) and steals 1.7 (spg); junior guard Amanda Sepulveda is the only other player to average in double-figures (12.0).

Last Meeting - January 30, 2009, Rider 72 - Niagara 59

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s basketball team was defeated by the Rider Broncs, 72-59, on Friday night at the Gallagher Center. Freshman guard Ali Morris led the Purple Eagles with 14 points.

Against the Broncs (Purple Eagles lead 15-11)

Niagara holds a 15-11 advantage in the relatively young series with the Rider Broncs. The Purple Eagles ran off eight-straight victories from Feb. 2002-March 2005 and has won three of the last five meetings. The key number will be 60: Niagara is 14-6 when it scores more than 60 points and is 5-1 when holding Rider to less than 60. The Purple Eagles have won the last two games in Lawrenceville.