NU Returns To Site Of OT Heartbreak

Niagara embarks on its three-game road journey starting with a Saturday matinee against the Fairfield Stags. Senior guard Jennifer McNamee will attempt to make history as she is six points away from joining NU’s 1,000 point club.

Last season, the Purple Eagles fell in double-overtime at Fairfield, who was riding a seven-game winning streak at the time, in the last meeting between the teams. NU was 20-for-21, making every free throw until the final attempt in double-overtime, and the 95.2 free throw percentage was the 19th-best in the nation by the end of the regular season.

This season, NU is still in search of its first win in MAAC play and in 2010. The Purple Eagles played their best game in MAAC action with a narrow defeat at home to Iona on Monday night. Fairfield enters the game 2-2 in the MAAC after getting swept last weekend.    

Ready for Action

s Liz Flooks (14.7) and Jennifer McNamee (12.3) are the top two scorers on the team and rank in the top 12 in the conference. McNamee is tied for fourth in the MAAC with 2.3 3-point field goals. Flooks leads the MAAC and is tied for ninth in the nation in 3-point percentage.

s McNamee is six 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 4.6 assists per game and is third in the MAAC.

s Niagara trails in the all-time series with Fairfield, 27-16.

s In its last game versus Iona, Niagara lost its first game this season when holding an opponent to under 40 percent shooting and less scoring than 60 points.

McNamee Close To Prestigious Club

Senior Jennifer McNamee has been one of the most dependable scorers in Niagara women’s basketball history. Her scoring ability has moved her within a few points from becoming the 20th member of the 1,000 point club. Entry into the club could be a precursor for the Hall of Fame, as 12 of the 19 1,000 point club members are in the Hall of Fame. McNamee has averaged 10.4 ppg during her career, 33.3 percent from the 3-point arc and 77 percent at the free-throw line.

Long Distance Call

The Purple Eagles love the long ball and have been dialing up long distance shots all season. Two players, in particular, have been very successful behind the arc. Liz Flooks set a career-high with five 3-pointers on six attempts versus Akron. From Jan. 3-8, her 51.0 percentage was a MAAC best and placed her seventh in the nation. Flooks has regained her top spot in the MAAC, shooting 47.7 percent, and is ninth in the nation. Jennifer McNamee is fourth in the MAAC with 2.4 3-pointers.

On the Court

Fairfield Stags (8-7, 2-2 MAAC)

Fairfield has lost its last two games after starting the new year winning two-straight. The Stags’ recipe for winning is defense; they are second in the conference in scoring defense (57.5) and lead the conference in block shots per game (6.7). Three Stags are averaging in double-figures, led by senior forward Stephanie Geehan with 13.6 ppg. Geehan leads the MAAC with 11.6 rpg and 3.7 bpg.

Against the Stags (FFD leads 27-16)

The Purple Eagles have dropped the last six meetings with the Stags in the series that started in the Purple Eagles’ first season in the MAAC in 1990. Niagara ran off five-straight wins from Feb. 2002-Jan. 2004, but has only won twice since then: Jan. 14 2005 (77-72) and Jan. 22, 2006 (63-59).

Last Meeting - February 8, 2009

Niagara 65, Fairfield 66

FAIFIELD, Conn. – In a MAAC instant classic, the Niagara Purple Eagles took the Fairfield Stags into two overtimes before falling 66-65 on Sunday afternoon. Niagara played in its first-ever double overtime game and suffered its first defeat in overtime since a 75-63 loss to Cornell on Nov. 20, 2005.