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The Niagara Purple Eagles continue their three-game homestand with a contest against the Rider Broncs on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Niagara (10-16, 5-9 MAAC) halted its five-game skid by topping Siena in the final seconds on Friday. The Purple Eagles used a career-high performance by
Ameen Tanksley, who netted a career-high 24 points and drained a career-high six 3-pointers on his birthday, and a go-ahead layup by
Antoine Mason with 14 seconds left to extend their home winning streak against Siena to four games.
The Purple Eagles, who are tied for sixth with the Saints, face Rider (11-15, 8-6 MAAC) in a rematch of last Sunday’s thriller. The teams combined for 26 3-pointers, but it was the Broncs who made the decisive 3-pointer in the final seconds to come away with an improbable win.
~ Since the 2006-07, Niagara is 31-11 including a 19-3 record at the Gallagher Center in the month of February. Niagara opened its home February schedule with a 58-54 win against Siena on Friday.
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Marvin Jordan’s career-high eight 3-pointers at Rider on Sunday are tied for the second most 3-pointers and are the most ever by a sophomore in program history. Jordan leads the MAAC in 3-pointers made (68) and is 23rd in the nation.
~ Jordan is seven 3-pointers shy of tying the sophomore record in 3-pointers of 75, which was set during the 1999-2000 season by Daryl Greene, who was inducted into the Niagara Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday.
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Juan'ya Green is second among the nation’s freshmen in scoring with 16.7 points per game. Green is fifth in the MAAC in scoring and third in assists per game (4.5) and in steals per game (1.7).
~ Green needs 34 points to pass Garry Jordan (‘81) for most points by a freshman in program history and needs 9 steals to set the freshman record for most steals.
~ NU is the third youngest team in the nation, according to KenPom.com.
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.
Youthful Experience
According to the weighted formula by KenPom.com, Niagara is the third youngest team in the nation out of 345 teams. The Purple Eagles, whose nine of their 12 players are underclassmen, have a 0.60 rating; in contrast the most experience team in the country is Lamar at 2.58. NU is ahead of Boston College and St. John’s.
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Frosh
Juan’ya Green is averaging 16.7 points per game to rank second amongst freshmen.
Green, Mason 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 434 points on the season and needs to average at least 6.6 points per game for the rest of the season. Green needs 43 field goals to break Jordan’s freshman field goals record (185).
Antoine Mason is third with 386 points and is 81 points and 51 field goals behind Jordan. Mason had a medical redshirt last season after playing in the first three games.
On Jan. 29, Green had made nine free throws to set the freshman single-season which was previously held by Jordan (97).
Green is also closing in on the steals and assists. He needs eight steals to reach Ronnell Felton’s 53 steals and 35 assists to tie Gary Bossert’s total of 151 set in 1986.
Birthdays Bonanza!
Ameen Tanskley had a couple of reasons to celebrate on Feb. 9. The Philadelphia native turned 20 years old and his career-high scoring output of 24 points and six 3-pointers helped Niagara defeat the Siena Saints, 58-54. Tanksley’s childhood friend, Juan’ya Green, celebrated his birthday a day earlier and provided 16 points and six assists in Niagara’s win versus Siena.
On The Court
Rider Broncs (11-15, 8-6 MAAC)
Rider has won five of its last six games, including edging Niagara at the buzzer last Sunday. The Broncs have four players in double figures scoring, led by Brandon Penn (13.1). Rider is second in the conference in scoring (72.1), field goal percentage (.447), 3-point percentage (.372), and leads the MAAC in 3-pointers per game (7.7).
Against the Broncs (Niagara leads 19-15)
Niagara leads the all-time series 19-15. NU’s five-game losing streak is the longest in series history. The Purple Eagles and Broncs have played in some memorable games in recent years, including the last Niagara victory in the series which was a double overtime win to reach the 2009 MAAC Championship game.
Last Meeting - February 5, 2012
Niagara 73, Rider 74
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were denied their first win at Rider in five seasons on a last-second shot by the host to fall 74-73 on Sunday at Alumni Gymnasium.
33333333-Point Goal!
Marvin Jordan had a record setting performance from behind the 3-point line on Feb. 5 at Rider which a career-high 8 3-pointers which accounted for his game-high 24 points. Jordan’s eight triples are the second most 3-pointers in the MAAC and 12th most in the NCAA this season; he also tied the Alumni Gym record in 3-pointers which was set in 1993 by Long Island’s Joe Griffin. Jordan’s eight treys are the most by sophomore and are tied for second most in program history.
February Fever
Niagara is 31-11 since the 2006-07 season, including a splendid 19-3 mark at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles opened February with two narrow defeats on the road dates and before topping Siena at home on Feb. 9. Niagara has five straight seasons with a winning record during this month.
