NU Playoff Push

Niagara wraps up its regular season against the Saint Peter’s Peahens on Sunday afternoon. The Purple Eagles will honor Rachele Folino, Jaclyn Konieczka and Jennifer McNamee on senior day.

The Purple Eagles entered the weekend among three teams that had a shot at the third seed in the 2010 MAAC Championship. However, the Purple Eagles’ loss to Fairfield on Friday night erased a chance at third place. A win today would guarantee Niagara no worse than fifth place and its first 10-win conference season since winning 11 MAAC games during the 2004-05 season.

Niagara welcomes a Saint Peter’s team that has lost four-straight which began when the Purple Eagles defeated the Peahens, 64-58, on Feb. 15. The Purple Eagles are looking for third-ever season sweep of the Peahens with the last coming in the 2004-05 season.

Ready for Action

s Niagara is tied for fourth place with Manhattan and a win would guarantee it no worse than fifth place.

s Niagara will earn a bye in next week’s MAAC Tournament for the first time in five seasons.

sThe Purple Eagles will honor seniors Rachele Folino, Jaclyn Konieczka and Jennifer McNamee before the game.

s Niagara’s 12 wins are the most under Kendra Faustin and the most since the 2006-07 season.

s The Purple Eagles’ 9-8 conference record is their best record through 17 games since going 10-7 in the 2004-05 season.

s The Purple Eagles committed a season-low nine turnovers against Loyola (2/21).

s Freshman Kayla Stroman is third in the MAAC with 4.4 assists. 

MAAC Playoff Jumble

Niagara entered the weekend among three teams that had a shot at the third seed in the 2010 MAAC Championship. However, the Purple Eagles’ loss to Fairfield erased a chance at third place. Niagara is now tied with Manhattan for fourth place, but were swept by the Japsers. A Niagara win would guarantee no worse than the fifth seed.

Last Time Out...

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Niagara had its five-game home winning streak snapped by the Fairfield Stags, 55-41, in a battle for third place on Friday night from the Gallagher Center

On the Court

Saint Peter’s Peahens (10-18, 6-11 MAAC)

Saint Peter’s enters the Gallagher Center on a four-game losing streak, which began when Niagara defeated Saint Peter’s on Feb. 15. The Peahens are locked to play against Canisius in the MAAC Tournament First Round (8 v 9).

Against the Peahens (SPC leads 39-10)

The Niagara-Saint Peter’s series is one of the Purple Eagles’ longer series with a MAAC opponent. The series started in 1980 and the teams have played each other 49 times. The Peahens have had the better share of results throughout the series and have won three of the last five meetings.

Last Meeting - February 15, 2010

Niagara 64, Saint Peter’s 58

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The Niagara women’s basketball team held off a late second half rally by Saint Peter’s to defeat the Peahens, 64-58, on Monday night from the Yanitelli Center. The Purple Eagles have now won eight of their last 10 games.