Game Notes | Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats

The Niagara Purple Eagles will head back to the New York Metropolitan area for a tilt against the Manhattan Jaspers on Sunday for a 4 p.m. tip-off. 

Sunday’s matchup pits two of the hottest teams in the MAAC and who currently have the top two win streaks in the conference. The Purple Eagles have won three straight and are coming off of an impressive victory at archrival Canisius on Thursday, 75-56, for their largest margin of victory at Canisius since Feb. 1983. Manhattan has won its last four games heading into Sunday’s contest.

NU, which trails in the overall series, has won 11 of the last 13 meetings and had its five-game win streak at Manhattan snapped last season.

Ready for Action

~ NU’s three-game winning streak is its longest since Feb. 2010 (four games) when it defeated Siena, Marist, Milwaukee and Manhattan. NU has a 16.7 average margin of victory during its win streak for its largest margin during a three-game period since Nov. 2008 (22.3) with wins against UB, Monmouth and Hartford.
~ Joe Mihalich is 9 wins away from reaching 250 in his career.
~ 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).
~ Juan'ya Green is second amongst the nation’s freshmen and is 47th nationally in scoring with 18.0 points per game. Green is second in the MAAC in scoring and minutes (36.9) and third in assists per game (4.4) and steals per game (1.7).
~ Green is vastly approaching the freshman all-time scoring record history at Niagara after passing Tyrone Lewis (‘10) for second place on Jan. 19. He needs 109 points to pass Garry Jordan (‘81) for most points by a freshman.
~ Second That: NU is second in scoring offense (71.4) and Manhattan is second in scoring defense (63.3)

How To Tune In
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 18.0 points per game to rank 47th in the nation in scoring and is second 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 359 points on the season and needs to average at least 10 points per game for the rest of the season. Green needs 65 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 10 free throws to tie Jordan’s 99 free throws, 19 steals to reach Ronnell Felton’s 53 steals and 63 assists to tie Gary Bossert’s total of 151 set in 1986.

Microwave Marvin
Marvin Jordan’s instant production off the bench has earned him the nickname “Microwave” by head coach Joe Mihalich. In his last five games as the first sub, Jordan has averaged 13.4 points per game and leads the team in 3-pointers (16) and 3-point percentage (.421) and free throw percentage (86.7).

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.

No Problem Assisting
Juan’ya Green has made an impact scoring, but can distribute the rock just as effective. Green, who is third in the MAAC in assists, is averaging 7.7 apg in the last four games. Green has set new career-highs in consecutive games with the latest begin an 11-assist game at Canisius which is tied for the seventh most assist by a Purple Eagles in a conference game.

On The Court
Manhattan Jaspers (13-7, 6-2 MAAC)
Manhattan is on a four-game win streak and is off to its best MAAC start since the 2005-06 season. Reigning MAAC Player of the Week George Beamon leads the Jaspers in points per game (17.8) and rebounds per game (5.7). Manhattan leads the conference in field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal percentage defense, rebounding margin and blocks.

Against the Jaspers (Manhattan leads 43-28)
Niagara trails in the all-time series, but has won 11 of the last 13 meetings. Majority of the wins have been big for the Purple Eagles during this streak.  The Purple Eagles have won five of the last six meetings.

Last Meeting - February 27, 2011
Manhattan 59, Niagara 66

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara wrapped up its regular season with a 66-59 victory over the Manhattan Jaspers on Sunday. Four Purple Eagles scored in double figures to help send Anthony Nelson out with a win in his final game at the Gallagher Center.