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2K Sports Classic
The Niagara Purple Eagles will host the New Mexico State Aggies on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the final game of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project.

Niagara (1-2) opened the subregional on Friday with an 88-71 setback against the Bucknell Bison (4-0). The Purple Eagles led as much as 12 points in the first half before the Bison reeled off a run that lasted into early in the second half. Three Purple Eagles were in double figures, led by Antoine Mason’s tea-high 14 points, and Juan’ya Green led the team with five assists. NU only committed three turnovers in the defeat.

Sunday’s game will be the first meeting between Niagara and New Mexico State (1-2), who fell at Oregon State and Bucknell in its first two games in the 2K Sports Classic. 

Tipoff Tidbits

- Joe Mihalich is three wins away from 250 for his career.
- The Purple Eagles’ 80 points per game are 61st in the nation and they are tied for sixth in the nation with 11.7 3-pointers per game.
- NU’s 35 3-pointers on the season account for 43.8 percent of its scoring, which ranks 11th in the nation.
- NU leads the MAAC in assists, assist/turnover ratio and 3-point field goals
- Ameen Tanksley has scored 12 points in all three games this season. It’s the second time in his two-year career that he has scored in double figures in three consecutive matches.
- Juan'ya Green has committed one turnover or fewer in two games this season.
- After Sunday’s game, Niagara will embark on a five-game road swing beginning with a Little 3 battle against St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Nov. 24 in Rochester, N.Y.

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
New Mexico State Aggies (1-2/0-0 WAC)
New Mexico State is 1-2 entering Sunday’s game. The reigning WAC Tournament champions began the season with a loss at Oregon State before beating Southeastern Louisiana in the home opener. The Aggies were defeated by Bucknell on Saturday. Tyrone Watson leads NMSU with 17 points per game and Daniel Mullings is averaging 15 points per game. Bandja Sy is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.3 per game.

2K Sports Classic
For the third straight season, NU will participate in a classic run by the Gazelle Group when the Purple Eagles play in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project.  NU opened the four-game classic at Oregon State on Nov. 9 and will host a subregional featuring Bucknell, New Mexico State and West Alabama. NU fell to Bucknell, 88-71 in the subregional opener on Nov. 16 .

SCHEDULE
Friday
Bucknell 88, Niagara 71
Saturday
Bucknell 62, New Mexico State 49
Sunday
West Alabama vs. Bucknell – 1:30 p.m,
New Mexico State vs. Niagara – 4 p.m.

Early MAAC Leader
Niagara sits atop in the conference in assists per game (15.3),  3-point field goals per game (11.7) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7).

Mihalich Approaching 250 Wins
Joe Mihalich is three wins away from reaching 250 wins for his career. Mihalich, who is in his 15th season as head coach, is the all-time winningest head coach in MAAC history. Out of the 347 Division I programs, only 28 percent (101) of the current head coaches have at least 250 wins.

Efficiency Rating
Niagara ranks in the top 10 in two statistical categories, according to KenPom.com. The Purple Eagles are sixth in the nation in turnover percentage and seventh in steals percentage. NU has a 12.5 percent in turnover percentage – which weighs the amount the percentage of a time a team will turn over the ball. Fairleigh Dickson is first in the nation with a 10.2 percentage. NU only has the ball stolen 4.7 percent; Nebraska leads the nation at 3.3 percent.