Game Notes | ESPN3 | Live Audio | Live Stats | Buy Tickets
The Niagara Purple Eagles will welcome the Manhattan Jaspers on Sunday in the National MAAC Game of the Week airing live on ESPN3 at 4 p.m.
The Purple Eagles (9-13, 4-6 MAAC) head into Sunday’s game looking to halt a two-game skid after winning three straight for their longest win streak since Feb. 2010. Niagara, which was edged by Loyola on Friday, faces another team tied for first place in the conference. Manhattan (15-7, 8-2 MAAC) has the MAAC’s current longest win streak at six games which includes squeaking past the Purple Eagles last Sunday.
NU, which trails in the overall series, has won 11 of the last 14 meetings. Niagara has won five straight at home in the series, including beating the Jaspers in the regular season finale last season.
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Joe Mihalich is 9 wins away from reaching 250 in his career.
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Antoine Masonwas named MAAC Rookie of the Week for the second straight week. Mason has led the team in scoring in the last four games.
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Juan'ya Green is second amongst the nation’s freshmen in scoring with 17.2 points per game. Green is third in the MAAC in scoring, in assists (4.5) and steals (1.7).
~ Green needs 89 points to pass Garry Jordan (‘81) for most points by a freshman in program history.
~ Green had his first double-digit scoring effort in Niagara’s last game since scoring 20 points against Saint Peter’s on Jan. 13. Green had scored in double-digit in his first 18 collegiate games.
~ The freshman/sophomore class account for 90 percent of the scoring.
~ NU leads the MAAC and is 30th in the NCAA in turnover margin (+3.00). Niagara has committed fewer turnovers than their opponents in the last five games.
~ Both coaching staffs will participate in this year’s Coaches vs. Cancer weekend by wearing lavender ribbons.
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. Some tickets are still available in the chairback seats section. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.PurpleEagles.com. The Gallagher Center Ticket Office opens one hour prior to tip-off.
How To Tune In
Sunday’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 17.2 points per game to rank 65th 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 379 points on the season and needs to average at least 9.9 points per game for the rest of the season. Green needs 58 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 6 free throws to tie Jordan’s 99 free throws, 15 steals to reach Ronnell Felton’s 53 steals and 52 assists to tie Gary Bossert’s total of 151 set in 1986.
NU On ESPN
Niagara has done well playing on the ESPN’s family of networks in recent home contests. The Purple Eagles have won four of their last five games broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU at the Gallagher Center. This is the first ESPN3 broadcast from the Gallagher Center.
Coaches vs. Cancer
Both coaching staffs will wear lavender ribbons as part of the annual Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend, a collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society.
Fans may support this cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5.00 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer and help in the search for a cure. For more information, visit the Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page, facebook.com/coachesvscancer.
On The Court
Manhattan Jaspers (15-7, 8-2 MAAC)
Manhattan is on a six-game win streak which has propelled the Jaspers into a first place tie in the MAAC. A tough defensive team, Manhattan ranks in the top half of most defensive categories including leading the conference in blocks. George Beamon leads the team with 18.0 points per game.
Against the Jaspers (Manhattan leads 44-28)
Niagara trails in the all-time series, but has won 11 of the last 14 meetings. Majority of the wins have been big for the Purple Eagles during this streak. The Purple Eagles have won five straight meetings at the Gallagher Center.
Last Meeting - January 22, 2011
Niagara 64, Manhattan 71
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Niagara men’s basketball team rallied from a double-digit second half deficit only to be edged in the final minute by the Manhattan Jaspers, 71-64, on Sunday at Draddy Gymnasium to snap its three-game winning streak.
