NU Battles For Third Place

Sole possession of third place in the MAAC is up for grabs when Niagara visits the Big Apple to play the Manhattan Jaspers on Saturday afternoon. The Purple Eagles will bring the MAAC’s longest win streak into Draddy Gymnasium.

Niagara capped its five-game homestand unscathed when it defeated Loyola, 61-56, on Monday night. The Purple Eagles will now start their longest road trip of the season this Saturday at Manhattan. The winner of the Niagara-Manhattan game will be in sole possession of third place with five games remaining.

Niagara and Manhattan both rank in the top four in the MAAC in points per game, steals and turnover margin; Manhattan is first in turnover margin and Niagara is second. The game also features three of the top seven scoring leaders. Liz Flooks, who is seventh in the MAAC at 13.9 ppg, is 11th in the nation in 3-point percentage. The Lady Jaspers got the best of the Purple Eagles on Jan. 9 at the Gallagher Center and lead the all-time series, 21-20.

Ready for Action

s Niagara has won seven of its last eight games for its best run since the 2004-05 season (won 10 out of 11 games).

s Niagara’s five-game winning streak is the longest win streak in the MAAC; Manhattan has the second longest at 2 games.

s NU has forced 20 turnovers per game in the last five games.

s The Purple Eagles’ 7-5 conference record is their best record through 12 games since going 7-5 in the 2004-05 season.

s Niagara’s 10 wins are the most under Kendra Faustin and the most since the 2006-07 season.

s Niagara swept its five-game homestand from Jan. 29-Feb. 8. It was the longest homestand since playing five-straight home games from Jan. 21-31, 1998.  

On the Court

Manhattan Jaspers (12-11, 7-5 MAAC)

Manhattan has won four of its last five games. The Lady Jaspers are second in the MAAC in points per game and in scoring margin and have two of the top four scorers in the conference in Michelle Pacheco and Lindsey Loutsenhizer. Manhattan is 8-3 at home and 4-1 in conference games.

Against the Jaspers (Manhattan Leads 21-20)

Niagara trails 21-20 in a closely contested series. The Purple Eagles have lost three-straight after sweeping the home-and-home series during the 2007-08 season.

Last Meeting - January 9, 2010

Manhattan 70, Niagara 54

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women’s basketball team lost to the Manhattan Jaspers, 70-54, in its MAAC home opener on Saturday afternoon at the Gallagher Center.

Defense Sparks Streak

Niagara has won its last five games for its longest win streak in five seasons. The Purple Eagles’ tough defense has been instrumental to their winning streak. Niagara has forced an average of 20 turnovers per game during its five-game win streak, including four-straight games of at least 20 turnovers, and had a +6.8 turnover margin. NU has held opponents to 56.6 ppg, including holding Marist to 10 points fewer than its average and Canisius to its lowest point total in the series in the last 32 years.