Ali Morris

NU’s Crucial Homestand

Niagara steps back onto the court to face the red-hot Marist Red Foxes on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Gallagher Center.

The Purple Eagles are coming off of an exciting 65-63 overtime win over the Siena Saints on Friday night. Niagara is now tied for sixth in the conference and is one game back in the loss column for third place.

Niagara will have to stop a Marist squad that has won 13-straight games. The Purple Eagles gave the Red Foxes a game in their first meeting back on Jan. 5 in Poughkeepsie. Niagara had an 11-point lead late in the first half, but the Red Foxes rebounded with a second half rally.

Ready for Action

s Niagara started its five game homestand on Jan. 29 with a 65-63 overtime win over Siena. This is the longest homestand since playing five-straight home games from Jan. 21-31, 1998.  

s Jennifer McNamee became the 20th member of the 1,000 point club on Jan. 18 against Rider. McNamee scored her 1,002 on a 3-point basket on her second shot of the game. She joined current assistant coach Katie Murphy (1,060), among others.

s The Purple Eagles won consecutive MAAC games on Jan. 16 and 18 for the first time since Jan. 2008 and the consecutive MAAC road games since Feb. 2005.

s Liz Flooks (13.8) and Jennifer McNamee (11.3) are the top two scorers on the team and rank in the top 15 in the conference. McNamee is third in the MAAC with 2.2 3-point field goals. Flooks leads the MAAC and is tied for 13th in the nation in 3-point percentage.

s Freshman guard Kayla Stroman leads the team with 4.4 assists per game and is third in the MAAC.

s Niagara trails the all-time series with Marist, 14-10.

On the Court

Marist Red Foxes (17-4, 9-0 MAAC)

Marist has not lost any steam, or a game, since the last time Niagara and Marist played. The Red Foxes have a 13-game win streak and it’s the third longest in the nation.

Against the Red Foxes (Marist leads 14-10)

The Niagara-Marist series has been a tale of streaks.  The Purple Eagles won nine of the first 10 meetings between the Red Foxes from 1979-1991. Marist has reeled off 11-straight games.

Last Meeting - January 5, 2010

Niagara 56, Marist 73

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Niagara women’s basketball team could not maintain a strong first half start as its upset bid of the four-time defending MAAC Tournament champion Marist Red Foxes fell short in a 73-56 defeat on Tuesday night from the McCann Center.

Welcome to the Club

Senior Jennifer McNamee has been one of the most dependable scorers in Niagara women’s basketball history. Her scoring ability has gained her access to one of the most prestigious clubs in women’s basketball. On Jan. 18, McNamee became the 20th member NU’s 1,000 point club. She scored her 1,002 point with a 3-pointer on her second shot of the game in NU’s 63-54 win over Rider. 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.