NU Looks For First MAAC Win

The Niagara Purple Eagles will host the Iona Gaels (6-8, 2-1 MAAC) in a Monday night showdown from the Gallagher Center. NU is in search of its first MAAC win of the season.

Jennifer McNamee enters the game 13 points away from becoming the 20th member of the 1,000 point club. McNamee, who averages a little under 13 points per game, is on pace to tie or set the mark tonight.

The Purple Eagles will need to play a complete 40 minutes in order to knock off one of the stronger teams in the MAAC. The Gaels, who have won nine-straight in the series, are 2-1 in conference play after dropping their opener to Loyola. Iona features MAAC Player of the Year candidate Thazina Cook. 

Ready for Action

s Liz Flooks (15.2) and Jennifer McNamee (12.6) are the top two scorers on the team and rank in the top 11 in the conference. McNamee is third in the MAAC with 2.4 3-point field goals. Flooks, who led the MAAC in 3-point field goal percentage for four weeks, is now second.

s McNamee is 13 points away from becoming the 20th member of the 1,000 point club. She will join current assistant coach Katie Murphy (1,060), among others.

s Freshman guard Kayla Stroman leads the team with 4.7 assists per game and is third in the MAAC.

s The Purple Eagles are fourth in the MAAC in points per game (60.4).

s Niagara leads the all-time series with the Iona Gaels, 25-17.

On the Court

Iona Gaels (6-8, 2-1 MAAC)

Iona has won its last two games after losing its conference opener. The Gaels enter Monday’s game  third in the MAAC in points per game and rebounds, including first in offensive rebounds. Thazina Cook leads the team in scoring, despite missing not playing in four games.

Against the Gaels (NU leads 25-17)

Niagara leads the all-time series against Iona, holding a 25-17 lead since the teams began play in 1979. The Purple Eagles +8 win difference is the most against any MAAC team.  Niagara has had winning streaks of 10 (1992-1996) and 8 (2002-2005) games. However, Iona has won the last nine meetings.

Last Meeting - February 20, 2009

Iona 73, Niagara 52

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were defeated by the Iona Gaels, 73-52, on Friday afternoon at the Gallagher Center.  Niagara displayed a strong first half with tough defense and hot shooting, but went ice cold from the field in the second half.