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Eric Williams
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MLK Day Matchup
The Niagara Purple Eagles conclude their metro New York road trip with a Monday matinee against the Manhattan Jaspers.
The Purple Eagles, who are coming off a 77-57 setback at Saint Peter’s on Saturday, suffered consecutive losses at the Yanitelli Center for the first time in 12 years. Monday’s matchup features two teams who are desperately looking for a conference win.
Niagara has dominated the series in recent years against the Jaspers, who are winless in conference play. The Purple Eagles have won the last eight meetings, won 10 out of the last 11 meetings and have not lost at Draddy Gymnasium since Jan. 2005.
Ready For Action
s Niagara has won eight straight in the series and has won the last five meetings at Manhattan.
s Anthony Nelson became the 41st member of the 1,000-point club when he scored 20 points at Saint Peter’s. He also reached the 500-rebound club in the game.
s Nelson played the entire 40 minutes at Saint Peter’s. It was the third time this season he has played the entire game (Marist, Central Connecticut).
s Kashief Edwards missed his first game of the season on Jan. 15 at Saint Peter’s. Edwards had started in every game this season.
s Nelson had his fourth career double-double in the win over Siena His 30 points and 10 rebounds were both one tally shy of his career-high and his career-high eight steals were the second most in program history and fourth most in the nation this season.
s Nelson leads the MAAC and is fourth in the nation with 3.3 steals per game.
s Marvin Jordan is fourth in the conference and leads all MAAC freshmen with 37 3-pointers (2.1 per game).
s Kevon Moore made his seventh start of the season, including three straight, at Saint Peter’s. Moore played in a career-high 34 minutes.
How To Tune In
NU fans can also listen live to all the action this season from “The Voice of the Purple Eagles” Todd Callen. The matchup can be heard live on WWKB 1520 AM. Internet listeners can listen free through Yahoo! Sports live web-streaming.
Moving Up The Charts
Nelson became the 41st member of the 1,000-point club on Jan. 15. The Plainfield, N.J. native accomplished the feat in front of family and friends at Saint Peter’s.
The point guard is also closing in on Alvin Cruz’s all-time assists record. Nelson currently has 562 assists and needs 68 to tie Cruz’s 630 assists.
Nelson is also tied for third in steals with 181 and needs 69 steals to tie former teammate Tyrone Lewis for first.
All-Conference Numbers For Ant
Senior Anthony Nelson is putting up all-conference numbers since missing the first three games of the season due to injury. Nelson, who has scored at 24 points three times this season and set a career-high 31 points at Detroit, is third in the MAAC in scoring. Nelson leads the conference in steals per game, second in minutes per game and sixth in assists per game.
Stealing Your Attention
Anthony Nelson’s eight steals versus Siena put him in a second place tie with six other Purple Eagles. Alvin Young holds the record with nine steals set on Jan. 30, 1999 versus Saint Peter’s. His career-high eight steals rank tied for fourth most in the nation this season. His 3.1 steals per game ranks fourth in the nation.
On The Court
Manhattan Jaspers (2-15, 0-6 MAAC)
After winning its first two games of the season, Manhattan has dropped 15 in a row. Sophomore guard George Beamon leads the team in scoring (15.3) and is joined by freshman guard Michael Alvarado (11.6 ppg) and graduate student Demetrius Jemison (10.3) ppg) in double figures scoring.
Against the Jaspers (Manhattan leads 42-27)
Niagara trails in the all-time series, but has won 10 of the last 11 meetings including eight straight. Majority of the wins have been big for the Purple Eagles during this streak. NU defeated Manhattan by an average of 14.9 ppg in the seven straight wins before squeaking past the Jaspers, 74-72 in the last meeting.
Last Meeting - February 26, 2010
Niagara 74, Manhattan 72
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Niagara men’s basketball team improved to 5-1 in February with a 74-72 victory over Manhattan on Friday night in Riverdale, N.Y.
