Rematch With Broncs

The Niagara Purple Eagles will take their two-game winning streak into Alumni Gymnasium for a Sunday meeting with the Rider Broncs at 2 p.m in their final road game of the season.

The Purple Eagles and Broncs renew their rivalry in a pivotal conference game this Sunday. Rider defeated Niagara in the first meeting this season to extend its win streak to three for its longest streak ever in the series. The Purple Eagles, who lead the all-time series at 19-13, haven’t won at the “Broncs’ Zoo” since Jan. 14, 2007.

s Niagara rallied to defeat Loyola on Friday, 59-57, to pick up its first road win since Dec. 11 and its first conference road win of the season. Scooter Gillette had a season-high 10 points and career-high eight caroms.

s Niagara is 19-7 in the month of February over the last five seasons.

s Anthony Nelson leads the nation with 3.4 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) and is 13 steals shy of tying Lewis for the single-season record of 91.

s Nelson is quickly approaching the all-time assists record held by Alvin Cruz (‘05). Nelson needs 20 assists to tie Cruz’s record of 630 assists.

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

s Niagara leads the conference in steals with 8.0 per contest.

s Marvin Jordan claimed his second MAAC Rookie of the Week award after averaging 20.5 ppg, 3.0 apg and 2.5 rpg. Jordan led or shared the lead in scoring in five straight games from Jan. 23-Feb. 6, including a career-high 27 points versus Marist.

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 WWKB 1520 AM. Internet listeners can listen free through Yahoo! Sports live web-streaming.

February Fever

NU is 2-1 to start the month of February after snapping a seven-game losing streak on Feb. 6 versus Marist and clipping Loyola in their next game to win consecutive games for only the second time this season. The Purple Eagles have used this month to gear up for a successful run in March over the last few years. Niagara is 19-7 in February since the 2006-07, with three of those losses coming against today’s opponent, Rider.

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. He is only the 15th player to record a triple-double in the NCAA Division I this season.

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 610 assists and needs 20 to tie Cruz’s 630 assists.

Nelson is third in steals with 210 and needs 40 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

Rider Broncs (17-9, 9-5 MAAC)

Rider sits in a third place tie with Iona in the conference. The Broncs have won five of their last seven games, but dropped Friday’s contest versus Canisius. Reigning MAAC Player of the Week Justin Robinson leads the team in scoring (15.9 ppg) and assists (4.0 apg) and leads the conference in free throw percentage (89.8%) and 3-point percentage (44.4%). The Broncs lead the MAAC in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage and second in points per game.

Against the Broncs (Niagara leads 19-13)

Niagara leads the all-time series 19-13. The Purple Eagles and Broncs have played in some memorable games in recent years. NU was edged by one in the first meeting last season, but the Purple Eagles topped the Broncs in double overtime to reach the 2009 MAAC Championship game.

Last Meeting - January 7, 2011

Rider 82, Niagara 65

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men’s basketball team dropped a 82-65 contest versus conference foe the Rider Broncs on Friday at the Gallagher Center on ESPNU. Freshman guard Marvin Jordan led the Purple Eagles in scoring with a career-high 18 points.