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Anthony Nelson
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Senior Day
The Niagara Purple Eagles will play its regular season finale when they welcome the Manhattan Jaspers to the Gallagher Center on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tip. Niagara will honor Anthony Nelson and three student managers on senior day.
The winner of Sunday’s game will be the eighth seed in next week’s MAAC Tournament at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn. The Purple Eagles can finish no worse than ninth which inks them in the 8/9 game on Friday at 7:30 p.m. NU will face either Manhattan or Marist.
Niagara is 10-2 under Joe Mihalich in home finales, including winning the last four. The Purple Eagles’ last defeat came against Manhattan in overtime on Feb. 13, 2006 and it was the last time the Jaspers have left the Gallagher Center with a win.
Ready For Action
s Anthony Nelson set the all-time career assists record with his first assist versus Loyola on Feb. 25. Nelson surpassed Alvin Cruz’s record of 630 which was set six seasons ago.
s Niagara was edged in the first meeting against Manhattan to have its eight-game win streak in the series and five-game win streak at Manhattan come to an end.
s The Purple Eagles have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, including the last four at the Gallagher Center.
s Niagara is 29-9 in the month of February over the last five seasons.
s Nelson leads the nation with 3.4 steals per game and 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 set the single-season steals record, which was previously held by Tyrone Lewis (91) with his final steal versus Loyola. He has 92 steals on the season.
s Kashief Edwards grabbed his third double-double of the season versus Loyola which ties Nelson for the team lead.
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 WWKB 1520 AM. Internet listeners can listen free through Yahoo! Sports live web-streaming.
The Full Nelson
Anthony Nelson will conclude his career at the Gallagher Center as one of the best players to ever wear the Purple and White. Nelson set the all-time career assists record on Feb. 25 with his first assist of the game versus Loyola. He also set the single-season teals record in the game with his 92nd of the season, breaking former teammate Tyrone Lewis’ record of 91. He is currently second all-time in career steals with 224.
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.
February Fever
NU is 4-3 through seven games in February. NU started the month 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 29-9 in February since the 2006-07, with four of those losses coming against Rider.
MAAC Tourney On The Horizon
The 2011 Spark Energy MAAC Championship is around the corner. The latest edition of the 10-team tournament begins on Friday, March 4 at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn. Niagara will play in the first round on Friday at either 7:30 or 9:30 p.m. For tickets in the Niagara Section contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716- 286-8499.
On The Court
Manhattan Jaspers (6-23,3-14 MAAC)
Manhattan comes to the Gallagher Center 2-2 in its last four games. The Jaspers are led by George Beamon, who is averaging a team-high 16.3 ppg and ranks third in the conference. Freshman Michael Alvarado leads the team with 3.2 apg. The Jaspers haven’t locked a seeding in next week’s MAAC Tournament. They can finish as high as eighth or low as tenth.
Against the Jaspers (Manhattan leads 43-27)
Niagara trails in the all-time series, but has won 10 of the last 12 meetings. Majority of the wins have been big for the Purple Eagles during this streak. Niagara had its eight-game win streak snapped at Manhattan in the first meeting of the season. The Purple Eagles have won four straight at home.
Last Meeting - January 17, 2011
Niagara 49, Manhattan 51
RIVERDALE, N.Y.– The Niagara men’s basketball team was edged by the Manhattan Jaspers, 51-49, on Monday afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium.
