Niagara Purple Eagles (1-25, 0-15 MAAC) vs. Iona Gaels (15-11, 8-7 MAAC)
Friday, February 20 at 2:00 P.M. ET
Live Video: B2 Networks
Live Audio: Chris Smith (Yahoo!Sports)
Live Stats: PurpleEagles.com
The Tip-Off
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Ali Morris
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The Niagara Purple Eagles host the Iona Gaels as part of their WBCA Pink Zone event on Friday afternoon. The Purple Eagles took the Gaels down to the final minute in the teams’ first meeting in January.
Start The Clock
- Niagara leads the all-time series, 25-16.
- Liz Flooks is 29th in the nation in free throw percentage (85.2 percent).
- Liz Flooks and Jennifer McNamee rank 2nd and 6th, respectively, in the MAAC in free throw pct.
- Flooks (12.9 ppg) ranks ninth in scoring in MAAC games only.
- 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 141st is third in the MAAC.
- McNamee, leading scorer, has missed the last six games due to injury.
WBCA Pink Zone
The WBCA began the WBCA Pink Zone™, formerly known as “Think Pink”, in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women’s basketball, on campuses and in communities. In 2007, more than 120 schools unified for this effort and helped make the inaugural year a success. In 2008, over 1,200 teams and organizations participated, reaching over 830,000 fans and raising over $930,000 for breast cancer awareness and research. The WBCA Pink Zone™ dates for 2009 will February 13-22.
Last Time Out - February 15, 2009, Niagara 56 - Rider 40
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Niagara Purple Eagles struggled on offense for the second time against the Rider Broncs this season in a 56-40 setback on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Gym.
On the Court
Iona Gaels (15-11, 8-7 MAAC)
The Gaels average 62.5 ppg, which ranks third in the conference. Iona feature three players that average in double figures: sophomore forward Anda Ivkovic (14.2), junior guard Thazina Cook (13.4) and freshman forward Kristina Ford (11.2). Ivkovic and Cook have been named MAAC Player of the Week this season and Ford has been named rookie of the week on four different occasions.
Last Meeting - January 25, 2009, Niagara 56 - Iona65
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Niagara was down by four entering the final minute versus the Iona Gaels, but was unable to get any closer as the Gaels would win 65-56. Sophomore forward Liz Flooks led all scorers with 20 points.
Against the Gaels (Purple Eagles lead 25-16)
Niagara leads the all-time series against Iona, holding a 25-16 lead since the teams began play in 1979. The Purple Eagles +9 win difference is the most among MAAC teams. Niagara has had winning streaks of 10 (1992-1996) and 8 (2002-2005) games. However, Iona has won the last eight meetings.
The Series............................................................... Niagara leads 25-16
Last Game.............................................................. January 25, 2009, Niagara 56, Iona 65
Last Niagara win..................................................... February 11, 2005, Niagara 78, Iona 70
Last Iona win.......................................................... January 25, 2009, Niagara 56, Iona 65
Last Niagara win in Niagara Univ........................... January 16, 2005, Iona 65, Niagara 78
Last Iona win in Niagara Univ................................ February 3, 2008, Niagara 58, Iona 76
Current streak........................................................ Iona has won eight straight
Coach Faustin vs. Iona........................................... 0-3
Gaining Ground Nationally
Liz Flooks’ smooth shooting touch had led to a top 30 ranking in the nation. Flooks’ 85.2 free throw percentage ranks 29th in the nation. Flooks had been ranked as high as 15th this season. She also leads the team and is second in the MAAC, four spots ahead of teammate Jennifer McNamee (81.5 percent). Flooks had her consecutive streak of 27-straight free throws snapped in the loss to Marist on Jan. 3.
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.
