BracketBuster

The Niagara Purple Eagles will step out of conference action to participate in the 2011 Sears BracketBusters series against the Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Saturday’s game will be the Purple Eagles’ second of four straight home contests to end the regular season and the final non-conference game of the season. NU has been successful in the BracketBusters series going 4-2 since first participating in the series during the 2004-05 season. Niagara has won its last four BracketBusters with victories over Liberty (2007), Appalachian State (2008), Illinois State (2009) and Milwaukee (2010).

Ready For Action
s Niagara tipped archrival Canisius, 67-65, in the latest edition of the Battle of the Bridge rivalry on Wednesday night. The Purple Eagles have won the last nine home meetings and 14 of the last 17 encounters overall.

s The Purple Eagles are 2-0 all-time versus the Chippewas. NU won the first meeting 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 (Nelson’s first career game).

s Niagara is 28-8 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 7 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 seven assists to tie Cruz’s record of 630 assists.

s Kashief Edwards led the Canisius game in scoring with 21 points for the second consecutive game. Edwards scored 21 points at Rider on Feb. 13.

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.

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.

Last-Gasp Heroics

Niagara pulled out one of the most dramatic wins in the 169 meetings with rival Canisius on Feb. 16. The Purple Eagles had a tip-in goaltended at the buzzer to defeat the Golden Griffins, 67-65. The victory gave NU its ninth straight home win in the series. The buzzer beater was Niagara’s first since topping Appalachain   State, 76-75, on Feb. 23, 2008 in an ESPNU BracketBuster game. 

February Fever

NU is 3-2 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 28-8 in February since the 2006-07, with four of those losses coming against 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 one of only 15 players to record a triple-double in the NCAA Division I this season.

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 623 assists and needs seven to tie Cruz’s 630 assists.

Nelson is tied for second in steals with 216. He needs 34 steals to tie former teammate Tyrone Lewis for first.

On The Court

Central Michigan Chippewas (8-17, 5-7, MAC)

The Chippewas come to Monteagle Ridge winners of two straight and sit in third place in the MAC West Division. Freshman guard Trey Zeilger leads the team in scoring at 17 per game and is fourth in the conference. Senior forward Jalin Thomas is the other Chippewa to average in double figures. Central Michigan ranks third in the MAC in scoring defense (64.8 ppg).

CMU and NU each played two common opponents this season in Detroit and Buffalo; both teams lost their respective games.

Against the Chippewas (Niagara leads 2-0)

The Purple Eagles and Chippewas will meet for the third time in program history and the first-time ever in a BracketBuster game. Niagara won the two previous meetings. The Purple Eagles 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.

Last Meeting - November 16, 2007

Central Michigan 73, Niagara 79

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The men’s basketball team jumped out to an early lead and never trailed, defeating Central Michigan 79-73, in front of a sold-out Gallagher Center on Friday.

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 has been successful in the BracketBusters series going 4-2 since first participating in the series during the 2004-05 season. Niagara has won its last four BracketBusters with victories over Liberty (2007), Appalachian State (2008), Illinois State (2009) and Milwaukee (2010).