s Anthony Nelson recorded the first triple-double in program history on Feb. 6 versus Marist. Nelson scored 10 points, had 10 rebounds and a career-best 14 assists.

s Nelson enters this weekend leading the nation with 3.3 steals per game. Nelson is on pace to shatter the school record in steals per game in a season, which was set by former backcourt teammate Tyrone Lewis during the 2008-09 season (2.6 spg).

s Nelson is the first player in program history to have over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 600 assists and 200 steals.

s Nelson is quickly approaching the all-time assists record held by Alvin Cruz (‘05). Nelson needs 22 assists to tie Cruz’s record of 630 assists.

s On Feb. 4 versus Saint Peter’s, Nelson became the third Purple Eagle to have 200 steals in his career, joining Mike Phillips and former teammate Tyrone Lewis.

s Niagara leads the conference in steals per game with 7.9.

s Marvin Jordan has led or shared the lead in scoring in five straight games, including a career-high 27 points versus Marist. Jordan claimed his second MAAC Rookie of the Week award after averaging 20.5 ppg, 3.0 apg and 2.5 rpg.

s The Purple Eagles’ 23 assists versus Marist on Feb. 6 were their most since Nov. 29, 2008 vs. Hartford and their 52.0 3-point % were their highest since Dec. 28, 2007.

How To Tune In        

NU fans can listen live to all the action this season from “The Voice of the Purple Eagles” Todd Callen. The matchup can be heard live on WGR 550 AM. Internet listeners can listen free through Yahoo! Sports live web-streaming.

Triple!!!           

On Feb. 6, Anthony Nelson recorded the first triple-double in program history. Nelson scored 10 points, had 10 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists in the 77-60 win over Marist.

ESPN Love    

Anthony Nelson’s posterization of Marist’s Adam Kemp made several highlight clips on the “Worldwide Leader in Sports”. The dunk was a part of ESPN’s Weekend Encore montage on the Feb. 6-7 airing of SportsCenter. ESPN’s SportsNation also used the clip in its “Winner/Loser” portion of the show. 

One Of A Kind

Anthony Nelson is the only Purple Eagle in the 104 years of basketball to have over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 600 assists and 200 steals. Nelson reached 1,000 points and 500 rebounds on Jan. 15 and reached the 200 steals plateau on Feb. 4. He eclipsed the 600 assists mark on Feb. 6 with a career-best 14 dimes.

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 608 assists and needs 22 to tie Cruz’s 630 assists.

Nelson is third in steals with 205 and needs 45 steals to tie former teammate Tyrone Lewis for first.

Halting The Skid

Niagara played one of its most complete game en route to a 77-70 win over Marist, which snapped its seven-game losing streak. NU tied a season-high in points with 77, while setting season-high marks in field goals (29), field goal percentage (49.2), 3-pointers (13), 3-point percentage (52.0) and assists (23).

The Purple Eagles’ 23 assists were their most since Nov. 29, 2008 vs. Hartford and their 52.0 3-point % were their highest since shooting 53.8 % versus Morgan State Dec. 28, 2007.

On The Court

Loyola Greyhounds (12-11, 8-5 MAAC)

Loyola enters Friday’s game winners of six out of eight games. The Greyhounds statistically rank as one of the toughest defensive team in the conference, ranking third in scoring defense (67.3) and second in block shots per game (4.6). Shane Walker (10.7) and Jamal Barney (10.3) are the only Greyhounds averaging in double figures scoring. 

Against the Greyhounds (NU leads 32-14)

Niagara has a commanding 32-14 lead in the all-time series. The Purple Eagles have won the last eight meetings by an average of 10 points per contest.

Last Meeting - January 31, 2010

BALTIMORE, Md. - The Niagara men’s basketball team used a balanced effort in the scoring column and a big second-half spurt to get back in the winning column with an 86-77 over Loyola on Sunday. Six Purple Eagles scored at least nine points in the victory.

Jordan’s Time

Freshman Marvin Jordan has been one of the most valuable players this season. The sharpshooter from Peoria, Illi. ranks in the conference’s top 15 in scoring and assists, the top 10 in steals and minutes and the top five in 3-pointers.

Jordan claimed his second MAAC Rookie of the Week award on Feb. 7 after averaging 20.5 ppg, 3.0 apg and 2.5 rpg in games versus Saint Peter’s and Marist. Jordan scored a career-high 27 points against Marist to lead the Purple Eagles in scoring for the fifth straight game on Sunday. Jordan added to his career-day with a career-best seven 3-pointers. Jordan leads all freshmen in scoring with 12.0 ppg and second in 3-pointers made (64).

BracketBuster Opponent Announced

Niagara will face the Central Michigan Chippewas in a Sears BracketBuster matchup on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. from the ‘Taps’ Gallagher Center.

NU and CMU will meet for the third time in program history and the first-time ever in a BracketBuster game. Niagara won the two previous meetings. NU won 80-73 on Dec. 23, 2006 in Mount Pleasant, Mich. and topped the Chippewas,79-73, in the 2007-08 season opener on Nov. 16, 2007 at the Gallagher Center.