NU’s Hot Run

Niagara hosts the Rider Broncs on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. from the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles will look for the regular season sweep of the Broncs after dispatching Rider last month.

The Purple Eagles have won three-straight to start their season-long five-game home stretch, and have won five of their last six games. NU defeated archrival Canisius on Wednesday morning to move into a third place tie with Siena and Manhattan.

Niagara’s defense has been the key to its recent streak. The Purple Eagles have forced an average of 20 turnovers per game, including forcing 22 and 20 turnovers in wins over Marist and Canisius, respectively. NU held Marist, who came into the game averaging 68.9 ppg, to 59 points and held Canisius to 49 points for its lowest point total in the series in 32 years.

Ready for Action

s Niagara defeated archrival Canisius, 52-49, in front of a soldout crowd to extend its win streak to three games.

s Niagara has won five of its last six games for its best run of since winning four-straight to start the 2006-07 season.

s The Purple Eagles’ 5-5 conference record in their best record through nine games since going 7-2 in the 2004-05 season.

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 The Purple Eagles ended the nation’s third-longest win streak in their win over Marist on Jan. 31.

s Freshman guard Kayla Stroman was named MAAC Rookie of the Week on Feb. 1 for the second time this season.

s Niagara leads the all-time series with Rider and has won the last two meetings.

On the Court

Rider Broncs (3-18, 1-9 MAAC)

Rider snapped its 11-game losing streak in its last game with a 54-46 win versus Manhattan for its first conference victory of the season. Guards Amanda Sepulveda and Cintella Spotwood each are scoring in double-figures.The Broncs lead the MAAC in rebounding margin. 

Against the Broncs (Niagara leads 17-12)

Niagara leads the all-time series against Rider, 17-12, in a relatively young series. Niagara has won the last two meetings.

Last Meeting - January 18, 2010

Niagara 63, Rider 54

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Niagara women’s basketball team won consecutive MAAC road games for the first time in five seasons after dispatching the Rider Broncs, 63-54, on Monday night from Alumni Gymnasium. Four Purple Eagles scored in double-figures in the win.

Streak Busters

Niagara has broken droughts and busted opponent’s streaks this season. The Purple Eagles went 3-2 in December to have their first winning month since Nov. 2007. 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. Niagara broke six-game losing skids against Fairfield and Siena this season, including winning at Fairfield for the first-time since Feb. 2003. On Jan. 29, Niagara won its first game against Marist in 12 attempts, while ending the nation’s third-longest win streak.