~ Niagara owns the all-time series record with Canisius, 96-73. The 169 previous meetings are the most against a single opponent in both schools’ history.
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Joe Mihalich is 10 wins away from reaching 250 in his career.
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Antoine Mason was named MAAC Rookie of the Week after averaging 22 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game. Mason had career highs in field goals (10) and 3-pointers (four).
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Juan'ya Green is first amongst the nation’s freshmen and is 32nd nationally in scoring with 18.6 points per game. Green is second in the MAAC in scoring and minutes (36.9) and third in assists per game (4.1) and steals per game (1.7).
~ Green is vastly approaching the freshman all-time scoring record history at Niagara. He is tied with Tyrone Lewis (‘10) for second place with 353 points and needs 115 points to pass Garry Jordan (‘81) for most points by a freshman.
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Marvin Jordan is averaging 12.8 points per game, 11-for-28 from behind the arc and 12-for-13 at the free-throw line in his last four games (all coming off the bench).
~ The freshman/sophomore class account for 89 percent of the scoring.
How To Tune In
Thursday’s game will be available on ESPN3. NU fans can listen live to all the action from “The Voice of the Purple Eagles” Todd Callen. The matchup can be heard live on WWKB 1520 AM. Internet listeners can listen free online through Purple Eagles All-Access.
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Scorers
Juan’ya Green is averaging 18.6 points per game to rank 32nd in the nation in scoring and is first amongst freshmen.
Green Eyeing Freshman Records
Juan’ya Green is on pace to set the Niagara freshman scoring record which is currently held by Garry Jordan who scored 467 points during the 1977-78 season. Green has 353 points on the season and needs to average at least 10 points per game for the rest of the season. Green needs 67 field goals to break Jordan’s freshman field goals record (185).
Green is also closing in on the freshman records for free throws, steals and assists. Green needs 11 free throws to tie Jordan’ 99 free throws, 20 steals to reach Ronnell Felton’s 53 steals and 74 assists to tie Gary Bossert total of 151 set in 1986.
Mason Claims Rookie Honors
Antoine Mason was named MAAC Rookie of the Week on Jan. 16 after pacing the Purple Eagles to a weekend sweep of Saint Peter’s and Marist by averaging 22 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game.
Mason joins Juan’ya Green as the only Purple Eagle to win the award this season.
Heating Up From Downtown
A trademark of Joe Mihalich’s team has always been the 3-pointer and the Purple Eagles had one of their most prolific efforts from behind the arc versus Saint Peter’s (Jan. 13) and Marist (Jan. 15). NU combined for 25 3-pointers for the most in consecutive games since combining for 26 at Liberty (11) and Rider (15) in Dec. 2007.
It was also the first time NU has had consecutive games with double-digit 3-pointers since having five straight games in Dec. 2009.
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (4-13, 1-6 MAAC)
Canisius has lost four of its last five games and picked up its first conference win on Friday against Marist. Three Golden Griffins are averaging double figures scoring, led by Harold Washington who is third in the MAAC with 17.6 points per game.
Against the Golden Griffins (Niagara leads 96-73)
The 169 previous meetings are the most against a single opponent in both schools’ history. Niagara has dominated the series with its archrivals, including winning 14 of the last 17 meetings.
Last Meeting - February 16, 2011
Canisius 65, Niagara 67
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - A Kashief Edwards jumper in the paint as time expired lifted Niagara to a 67-65 victory over archrival Canisius on Wednesday at the Gallagher Center to cap one of the most exhilarating contests in the history of the rivalry.
Battle of the Bridge
The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its sixth season in 2011-12. 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. With the series tied 2-2, Canisius edged Niagara for the 2010-11 title.
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 leading this season’s series, 6.5-4.5. 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 22-4 record in the last 26 games against Canisius and St. Bonaventure. Niagara is 14-3 versus the Golden Griffins since Feb. 12, 2003 and 8-1 against St. Bonaventure who snapped NU’s eight-game win streak on Dec. 30, 72-70.
