Niagara Purple Eagles (1-21, 0-11 MAAC) vs. Manhattan Jaspers (6-16, 3-8 MAAC)
Friday, February 6 at 7:00 P.M. ET
Live Video: JasperVision
Live Stats and Audio: GoJaspers.com
The Tip-Off
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Ali Morris
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The Niagara Purple Eagles are back in the New York metropolitan area for the second consecutive road trip this weekend. On Friday night, the Purple Eagles are at the Manhattan Lady Jaspers as both teams look to break their current skids.
Start The Clock
- Niagara has won five of the last six games at Draddy Gymnasium.
- The Purple Eagles’ strength of schedule (SOS) of 126th is second in the MAAC.
- Liz Flooks is 44th in the nation in free throw percentage (83.3 percent).
- Liz Flooks and Jennifer McNamee rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in the MAAC in free throw percentage.
- McNamee (13.3 ppg) and Flooks (12.5 ppg) rank 10th and 12th, respectively, in scoring in MAAC games only.
- McNamee has missed the last four games due to injury.
On the Court
Manhattan Jaspers (6-16, 3-8 MAAC)
Manhattan has lost five-straight games since its win at the Gallagher Center on Jan. 16. The Lady Jaspers, who rank second in the MAAC in 3-pt field goals made (6.3), made 10 3-pointers in the game to pull away with a 84-73 win; sophomore Abby Wentworth had a career-high 25 points. Senior Kelly Regan still leads the team in points (12.7 ppg) and rebounds (7.0 rbg). Manhattan as a team ranks near the bottom in rebounding, free throw percentage, scoring defense and field goal defense percentage.
Last Meeting - January 16, 2009, Manhattan 84 - Niagara 73
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Four Purple Eagles scored in double-figures and shot 48 percent from the field, but Niagara was unable to stop the 3-point shooting of the Manhattan Lady Jaspers in its 84-73 loss on Friday night.
Against the Lady Jaspers (Purple Eagles lead 20-19)
Niagara holds a 20-19 lead against Manhattan since the series began in 1990. The Purple Eagles swept the season series last season with two dramatic performances. They won 69-62 at the Gallagher Center on Jan. 27, 2008 and defeated Manhattan, 67-66, on a buzzer-beater on Feb. 17. In the first meeting this season, the Lady Jaspers pulled away late in the second half behind 3-point shooting for a 84-73 win. Niagara has won the five of the last six games at Draddy Gymnasium. Niagara is 12-2 when scoring 70 plus points, including 5-0 when reaching over 80, and is 8-1 when holding Manhattan under 60 points.
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The Series |
Niagara leads 20-19 |
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Last Game |
January 16, 2009, Manhattan 84, Niagara 73 |
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Last Niagara win |
February 17, 2008, Niagara 67, Manhattan 66 |
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Last Manhattan win |
January 16, 2009, Manhattan 84, Niagara 73 |
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Last Niagara win in Riverdale. |
February 17, 2008, Niagara 67, Manhattan 66 |
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Last Manhattan win in Riverdale. |
December 11, 2005, Niagara 63, Manhattan 70 |
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Current streak |
Manhattan won the last meeting |
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Coach Faustin vs. Manhattan |
2-1 |
The Freshmen Three
A bright spot for the young Purple Eagles have been the recent play of three freshmen: Grace Cunningham, Ali Morris and Meghan Waterman. Cunningham has played in all but one game since the calendar turned to 2009 in which she tied her career-high of eight points versus Fairfield. She is the first guard off the bench. Morris has been featured in every game this season, starting 18 times. The freshman guard had taken control of the team by running the very important and demanding point guard position. Morris is fourth on the team in points (6.1) and second with 43 assists; she was named MAAC Rookie of the Week on Jan. 5. Waterman’s playing time has increased in 2009; she has also played in every game this season. She played a career-high 31 minutes versus Saint Peter’s and led the team with three steals and two assists.
