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NU To Host Preseason Favorite
The Niagara Purple Eagles continue their conference opening weekend against the Iona Gaels on Sunday at 2 p.m. from the ‘Taps’ Gallagher Center.

Niagara started the weekend with a narrow 79-75 defeat to preseason No. 2 Fairfield on Friday, despite a freshman scoring record by Juan’ya Green. The Philadelphia native scored 35 points to break a 33-year record for most points by a frosh in a single game.

The Purple Eagles now welcome the top picked in the MAAC Preseason Poll, Iona,  which holds a slim lead in the all-time series (35-33). The Gaels have won the last two meetings at the Gallagher Center (2009 and 2011).

Ready for Action

- Juan'ya Green scored 35 points against Fairfield in his first MAAC game. The 35 points were the most by a Niagara freshman in program history.
- Green’s 18.7 ppg leads all freshmen and is second in the conference. His 86.4 free throw percentage is fifth in the conference.
- Ameen Tanksley had career-highs in points (15) and rebounds (12) versus Fairfield for his first-ever double-double. It was Niagara’s first double-double this season and the first since Anthony Nelson (Feb. 27, 2011).
- Eric Williams set career-best in points (18), rebounds (9), field goals (7), free throws (4) and in minutes (36) in the last meeting with Iona.
- The Purple Eagles are 15-11 in MAAC December games under Joe Mihalich, including an 11-1 record at home. The lone loss came on Friday versus Fairfield.
- Antoine Mason dished out a career-high seven assists in the defeat to Fairfield.
- Green has scored in double figures in every game this season. Antoine Mason’s run was ended in the previous game.
- Mason is fourth in the conference in steals per game (1.9).
- Green (37.6), Jordan (36.0) and Mason (33.9) all rank in the top 10 in the MAAC in minutes played, with Green leading the conference.

Get Your Tickets!      
Tickets for the game are still available. Fans can guarantee their seats by purchasing tickets in advance with no additional service fees by calling the Ticket Office at (716) 286-8499. Some tickets are still available in the chairback seats section. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.PurpleEagles.com. The Gallagher Center Ticket Office opens one hour prior to tip-off.

How To Tune In
NU fans can listen live to all the action from “The Voice of the Purple Eagles” Todd Callen. Sunday’s matchup can be heard live on WWKB 1520 AM. Internet listeners can listen free online through Purple Eagles All-Access.

Home Run
Starting on Dec. 2, Niagara will play six of its next eight games at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles will host Fairfield and Iona, who were picked second and first, respectively, in the preseason poll. NU will also face local rivals Buffalo (Dec. 7) and St. Bonaventure (Dec. 30) as well as CAA power Drexel (Dec. 13) and UMBC (Dec. 28). 

MAAC Home Games In December
The Purple Eagles are 15-11 in MAAC December games under Joe Mihalich, including an 11-1 record at home. The lone loss came on Friday versus Fairfield.

On The Court
Iona Gaels (5-1, 1-0 MAAC)
Iona is on five-game winning streak after falling to Purdue by one in the season opener in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Gaels lead the nation in points per game and all five starters are averaging in double figures led by Mike Glover (18.7). Iona leads the conference in assists and Scott Machado is No. 1 in the nation in assists per game (11.3). Iona is ranked fourth in the latest Mid-Major Top 25 Poll.

Against the Gaels (Iona, 35-33)
Niagara has won six of the last 11 meetings with the Gaels. However, Iona has won four of the last five meetings and the last two encounters at the Gallagher Center.

Green’s Record Game
Juan’ya Green broke a 33-year old record in his first conference game on Dec. 2. Green scored 35 points on 12-for-22 shooting from the field to set a Niagara freshman scoring record. Green’s 35 points surpassed Garry Jordan’s 30 points versus Saint Peter’s on Jan. 4, 1978. Green also set a career-best in rebounds (six) and in 3-pointers (five), which were one shy of tying the NU freshman record set by Tyrone Lewis on Dec. 6, 2006.
Green’s 35 points are tied for fifth in MAAC history amongst freshmen.

Keydren Clark (SPC) -  48 vs. NAU, 12/23/02
Jeff Ruland (Iona) - 37 vs. Northeastern,12/29/78
Kevin Bass (Iona) - 36  vs. Marist, 11/30/74
Jim Secretarski (Siena) - 36 vs. Iona, 1/19/95
Juan’ya Green (NU) - 35 vs. Fairfield, 12/2/11
Gary Springer (Iona) -  35 vs. Wagner, 1/31/81
Evan Hymes (Siena) – 30 vs. MSM, 11/19/11
Izett Buchanan (Marist) - 26 vs. Brown, 12/ 7/90

Tanksley’s Double-Double
Ameen Tanksley recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and a team-high 12 rebounds versus Fairfield. He was the first Purple Eagles to have a double-double. He also tied career-highs in 3-pointers (two), steals (two) and assists (two). 

Same Five
Niagara has started the same five (Green, Mason, Jordan, Tanksley, Gillette) in every game this season.