Game Notes |
Live Video |
Live Audio |
Live Stats |
Buy Tickets
The Niagara Purple Eagles will put their eight-game winning streak on the line against Little 3 rival St. Bonaventure when they meet at the ‘Taps’ Gallagher Center on Friday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.
Niagara (5-8) is fresh off of a convincing 92-75 win over the UMBC Retrievers on Wednesday to snap a four-game home losing skid. NU had season-highs in 3-pointers (13), assists (20) and steals (12) and had a season-low seven turnovers.
The Purple Eagles have recently dominated the series that began during the 1920-21 season. In last season’s meeting, Niagara had one of its best defensive performances en route to extending its win streak in the series to eight games. NU held the Bonnies to 33.3 percent from the field, which was the second lowest Niagara allowed all season. Niagara also shot a season-high 94.7 percent (18-for-19) at the free-throw line.
~ The Purple Eagles’ eight-game win streak against the Bonnies is their longest streak since winning nine straight from 1939-45.
~ Niagara is 22-3 in the last 25 games against Little 3 rivals Canisius and Bona.
~ Juan’ya Green’s 19.2 ppg are second in the nation amongst in freshmen and 28th in the nation. Green currently leads the MAAC in scoring and free throw percentage (87.7), second in minutes played per game (37.1), third in assists per game (3.7) and fourth in steals (1.6).
~ The 151 meetings are the second most with an opponent behind Canisius (170).
~ Niagara has never lost to Buffalo and St. Bonaventure in the same season under Joe Mihalich. The last time NU fell to both teams was during the 1996-97 season.
~ Friday’s game will be the first time Niagara will close out a calendar year at home since Dec. 30, 2004, when the Purple Eagles defeated Fairfield, 86-74.
~ This will be Niagara’s last non-conference game until the Sears BracketBuster game in mid-February.
Get Your Tickets!
Reserved chairback seats and courtside seats are sold out and there are some general admission seats available. To secure your seat, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets by calling the ticket office at 716-286-8499 or online at
PurpleEagles.com. The Gallagher Center Ticket Office opens one hour prior to tip off.
How To Tune In
Friday’s game will be televised live on Time Warner Cable SportsNet. NU fans can listen live to all the action from “The Voice of the Purple Eagles” Todd Callen. The matchup can be heard live on WWKB 1520 AM. Internet listeners can listen free online through Purple Eagles All-Access.
Back To Winning Ways At Taps
Niagara defeated UMBC, 92-75, on Dec. 28 to halt a four-game losing streak at home; its longest since dropping four straight to start the 2006-07 season. The Purple Eagles had season-highs in 3-pointers (13), 3-point percentage (48.1), free throw percentage (77.8) assists (20) and steals (12) and had a season-low seven turnovers. The 92 points were the most in a regular season non-overtime game in three seasons. It was also the first time this season that every dressed player saw game action.
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Scorers
Juan’ya Green is averaging 19.2 ppg to rank 28th in the nation in scoring and is second amongst freshmen. Green’s 87.7 free throw percentage is 45th in the nation.
On The Court
St. Bonaventure Bonnies (6-5, 0-0 A10)
St. Bonaventure heads into Friday’s rivalry game winners of three of its last four games, including defeating St. Franics (Pa.) in its last game on Dec. 23. Andrew Nicholson leads the team with 14.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg. Demeitrius Conger also is averaging double figure scoring (12.7).
Against the Bonnies (SBU leads 82-69)
Niagara trails in the all-time series, but has had the better run in recent seasons. The Purple Eagles currently have an eight-game win streak, which is their longest since they won nine straight from 1939-45. NU started the streak with a 107-98 win on Dec. 17, 2003, which snapped a 11-game skid versus the Bonnies.
Last Meeting - December 11, 2010
Niagara 69, St. Bonaventure 61
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – A stifling defensive performance and a near perfect outing at the free-throw line propelled Niagara to a 69-61 win over Little 3 rival St. Bonaventure. The Purple Eagles extended their win streak against the Bonnies to eight straight.
Little 3 Love
The Purple Eagles have dominated the Little 3 in recent seasons, owning a 22-3 record in the last 25 games against Canisius and St. Bonaventure. Niagara is 14-3 versus the Golden Griffins since Feb. 12, 2003 and has won eight straight games over St. Bonaventure dating back to the 2003-04 season.
