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Home Opener
The Niagara Purple Eagles open their 63rd season of playing at the legendary ‘Taps’ Gallagher Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m. when they host the St. Francis (Pa.) Red Flash.

Niagara (0-1) opened its 2012-13 season on the road against PAC-12 member Oregon State on Friday in the 2K Sports Classic Corvallis Regional Round. The Purple Eagles were hot from long distance, shooting 47 percent from behind the arc (16-for-34), but were unable to keep up with the Beavers who led their conference in scoring last season.

NU welcomes St. Francis (Pa.) to begin its home schedule on Tuesday. The Purple Eagles have won the last three meetings against the Red Flash (0-1), including last season’s bout in Loretto, Pa. NU erased a plus-20 first half deficit to escape with a 65-63 win on a Juan’ya Green’s layup with .2 seconds remaining. 

Tipoff Tidbits

- Joe Mihalich is four wins away from 250 for his career.
- Niagara was picked to finish fifth in the MAAC Preseason Poll announced on Friday
- Niagara is 10-4 under Joe Mihalich in home openers, including winning four of the last five home openers
- NU’s 16-3-pointers in its season opener were the most since 2008 (17)
- NU’s 47 3-point percentage is 13th in the nation and account for 57.8 percent of the scoring
- In the season opener at Oregon State, five players scored in double figures for the first time since Dec. 7, 2011 versus UB

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
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.

On The Court
St. Francis Red Flash (0-1/0-0 NEC)
St. Francis began its season with a 65-58 defeat at Penn State on Friday. Sophomore guard Ollie Jackson led the team with 19 points and was the lone Flash in double-digit scoring.

Against the Red Flash (Niagara, 10-9)
The Purple Eagles lead the all-time series and have won the last three meetings, including last season’s two-point escape. Coach Joe Mihalich is 3-0 all-time against the Red Flash.

Now That’s A Warm Welcome!
Niagara is 10-4 all-time in home openers under head coach Joe Mihalich. The Purple Eagles have won four of their last five home openers with the lone loss during the stretch coming in the 2010-11 season opener.

Double-Digit Scoring
Niagara had five Purple Eagles score in double-digits in the season opener at Oregon State. It was the first time since Dec. 7, 2011 against Buffalo.

NU Tabbed Fifth In MAAC Poll
Niagara was selected fifth in the 2012-13 MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Purple Eagles finished last season in a tie for sixth place with an 8-10 and advanced to the MAAC Tournament Quarterfinals.

Long Distance Call
NU shot 47 percent (16-for-34) from the 3-point line in the season opener at Oregon State, led by junior Marvin Jordan who led the  game with five 3-pointers. NU’s 16 3-pointers were the most since draining 17 in a win versus Hartford on Nov. 29, 2008.