Game Notes | Live Audio
The Niagara Purple Eagles, who have won three straight conference games, will return to MAAC play when they visit the Saint Peter’s Peacocks on Friday at 8 p.m.
After having its five-game Sears Bracketbusters winning streak come to an end at Vermont on Saturday, Niagara turns its attention back to MAAC action. NU is in a tie with Siena for sixth place and one game behind Rider for fifth as teams are positioning themselves for seedings in next week’s MAAC Tournament in Springfield, Mass.
The Purple Eagles snapped their four-game skid to the Peacocks with an 85-73 on Jan. 13 at the Gallagher Center. Niagara shot a season-high 80 percent (20-for-25) at the free-throw line, including a career-best effort by
Juan'ya Green who went 11-for-11 at the charity stripe.
~ Niagara will be in search of its first season sweep of Saint Peter’s since the 2008-09 season. NU is also looking for first sweep of a defending MAAC Champ since 2006-07 season (Iona).
~ The Purple Eagles have reeled off three straight conference wins to sit in a tie for sixth place. NU currently has the second longest conference win streak.
~ Since the 2006-07, Niagara is 33-12 in the month of February.
~ Joe Mihalich is 20-8 against Saint Peter’s during his coaching career, his third most
victories against one school (Loyola 25).
~ Juan’ya Green is third among the nation’s freshmen in scoring with 16.9 points per game. Green is third in the MAAC in scoring, in assists (4.4) and in steals (1.7).
~ Green needs four steals to set the freshman record for most steals (53).
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Marvin Jordan leads the MAAC in 3-pointers made (75) and is 22nd in the nation.
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Ameen Tanksley dished out a career-high four assists in NU's last meeting vs. SPC.
~ NU is tied with Boston College for the second youngest team in the nation, according to KenPom.com.
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 tied with Boston College for the second youngest team in the nation out of 345 teams. The Purple Eagles, whose eight of their 12 players are underclassmen, have a 0.60 rating; in contrast the most experience team in the country is Lamar at 2.60. NU and Boston College are ahead of St. John’s (0.48).
Green Amongst Nation’s Top Frosh
Juan’ya Green is averaging 16.9 points per game to rank third amongst freshmen.
Green, Mason Eyeing Freshman Records
Juan’ya Green set the Niagara freshman scoring record in NU’s win against Canisius on Feb. 15. Green passed Garry Jordan who scored 467 points during the 1977-78 season. Green needs 23 field goals to break Jordan’s freshman field goals record (185).
Antoine Mason is third with 440 points and is 27 points and 35 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 three steals to reach Ronnell Felton’s 53 steals and 24 assists to tie Gary Bossert’s total of 151 set in 1986.
February Fever
Niagara is 33-12 since the 2006-07 season, including a splendid 21-3 mark at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles opened February with two narrow defeats on the road dates and before topping Siena (Feb. 9), Rider (Feb. 11) and archrival Canisius to close out its home schedule. Niagara has five straight seasons with a winning record during this month.
On The Court
Saint Peter’s Peacocks (5-23, 4-12 MAAC)
The defending MAAC champions Saint Peter’s has lost five straight entering Friday’s game and is in ninth place. Darius Conley leads the team in scoring with 11.4 points per game and rebounding with 7.4 boards per game.
Against the Saint Peter’s (Niagara leads 43-28)
Niagara’s 43 wins are fourth most against a conference opponent. The Purple Eagles have had winning streaks of 12 games (2000-05) and six games (2006-09). Niagara’s 85-73 victory on Jan. 13 snapped its four-game losing streak in the series.
Last Meeting - January 13, 2012
Saint Peter’s 73, Niagara 85
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s basketball team had one of its best offensive performances of the season in a 85-73 win over the Saint Peter’s Peacocks on Friday night.
