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Anthony Nelson
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Blackout
The Niagara Purple Eagles will continue their historic rivalry with the Canisius Golden Griffins in the first-ever “Blackout” game on Wednesday at the Gallagher Center. The game will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable at a 7:05 tip.
The Gallagher Center will play host to the second encounter of the Battle of the Bridge rivalry. The Purple Eagles have done well in the series at ‘Taps’ in the last 13 meetings compiling an 11-2 record, including winning seven straight.
NU suffered only its third loss in the last 16 meetings against Canisius on Jan. 28, despite a combined 42 points from Anthony Nelson and Marvin Jordan, including a then-career high of 23 points from Jordan.
Ready For Action
s Niagara owns the all-time series record with Canisius, 95-73. The 168 previous meetings are the most against a single opponent in both schools’ history.
s Joe Mihalich is 10-2 at home against his rival, including winning seven straight.
s Niagara is 27-8 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 9 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 16 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 Kashief Edwards had a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds at Rider for his second career double-double; the 15 caroms were a career-high.
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. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.PurpleEagles.com. If available, tickets can be purchased at the door. The Gallagher Center Ticket Office opens one hour prior to tip-off/opening face-off.
How To Tune In
Wednesday’s game will be televised live on Time Warner Cable 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.
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 614 assists and needs 16 to tie Cruz’s 630 assists.
Nelson is third in steals with 214 and is two steals away from second place. He needs 36 steals to tie former teammate Tyrone Lewis for first.
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (13-12, 7-8, MAAC)
Canisius is 3-2 since defeating NU on Jan. 28. The Golden Griffins split a pair of games last weekend and are 7-8 in conference. Canisius has five players averaging in double figures, led by senior Elton Frazier at 11.6 ppg and Frazier also leads the team in rebounds per game (6.3). Canisius leads the conference in blocks per game (4.9).
Against the Golden Griffins (Niagara leads 95-73)
The 168 previous meetings are the most against a single opponent in both schools’ history. Niagara has dominated the series with its archrivals, including winning 13 of the last 16 meetings.
Last Meeting - January 28, 2011
Niagara 54, Canisius 69
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The backcourt duo of senior Anthony Nelson and freshman Marvin Jordan combined for 42 points, but the output was not enough as Niagara fell to archrival Canisius, 69-54, on Friday night at the Koessler Athletic Center on an ESPNU televised game.
Battle of the Bridge
The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its fifth season in 2010-11. After Niagara claimed the inaugural competition, Canisius has won the series the next two years, before Niagara claimed the Canal Cup at the end of the 2009-10 season.
Points are awarded to the winner of regular-season contests, except for cross country, golf and swimming and diving, which will be determined by MAAC Championship standings. The Canal Cup will be awarded to the victor each year.
The name of the series is in reference to the Grand Island Bridge, which each team crosses when traveling to the other’s campus. The name of the trophy is in reference to the Erie Canal, which intersects Niagara County, where Niagara is located, and Erie County, where Canisius is located.
Niagara is currently trailing this season’s series, 8-7, and needs 9.5 points to retain the Canal Cup. The winner of the basketball game will receive two points.
Little 3 Love
The Purple Eagles have dominated the Little 3 in recent seasons, owning a 21-3 record in the last 24 games against Canisius and St. Bona. Niagara is 13-3 versus the Golden Griffins since Feb. 12, 2003 and extended its winning streak to eight games over St. Bonaventure with a 69-61 win on Dec. 11.
Nelson’s Success Against Rival
Niagara’s point guard Anthony Nelson has been at his best when facing the Purple Eagles biggest rival. The senior floor general has committed just five turnovers in his last six games against Canisius while handing out 31 assists.
In his first career game against the Golden Griffins, Nelson played all 40 minutes and had two turnovers. Since then, he’s had a pair of multiple-assist/zero-turnover games and set a career-high 11 rebounds in the last meeting at the KAC.
