First Place Purps
The Niagara Purple Eagles, who are off to their best MAAC start in 14 seasons, visit archrival Canisius in a Battle of the Bridge encounter airing live on ESPN3 on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.
Niagara (12-8, 8-1 MAAC) brings an eight-game conference win streak and MAAC-best five-game win streak into Sunday’s annual rivalry game with Canisius (13-7, 6-3 MAAC). NU extended its win streak on Friday by holding off the Siena Saints, 78-69, for its first win at Siena in nine attempts. Niagara tied a season-high with 18 assists while tying a season and conference low of three turnovers in the win at Siena
The Purple Eagles have controlled the recent series with their local rivals, holding a 17-3 record in the last 20 meetings. NU has won the last four meetings, including winning three times last season. The last trip to Canisius witnessed the Purple and White registered their largest road win (75-56) in the series in MAAC play and in 29 years.
Tipoff Tidbits
~ NU is 9-2 in its last 11 games for its best run since the 2009 season (10-1)
~ The Purple Eagles’ 8-1 MAAC start is their best since they went 9-1 in the 1998-99 season (
Joe Mihalich’s first season)
~ The eight-game regular season conference win streak is the longest as a member of the MAAC. The 2006-07 team won 10 straight games against MAAC teams which includes three in the tournament.
~ NU’s conference win streak is the 8th longest conference win streak in the nation.
~ NU is 4-1 on the road in MAAC games (best start since 2002-03 season).
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Antoine Mason is third in the conference in scoring with 18.4 points per game. He has scored in double figures in 27 straight games.
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Juan'ya Green had his first career double-double (19 points, 11 assists) while falling one rebound short of a triple double-double in the win at Siena.
How To Tune In
Sunday’s game will be broadcast 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.
Twice As Nice
Freshman forward T.J. Cline was named MAAC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season on Jan. 21. Cline averaged 12 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game in a weekend sweep of Siena and Manhattan. The 6-foot-8 forward from Plano, Texas shot 77.8 percent (7-for-9) from the field, 66.7 percent (4-for-6) from the behind the arc and 75 percent (6-for-8) at the free-throw line in the two games.
MAAC Start Among Program’s Best
Niagara is off to one of its best start in conference play in its 24-year history as a MAAC member. The Purple Eagles’ 8-1 record is tied for their best start ever and is the first time they are 8-1 through nine games since the 1998-99 season (started program-best 9-1).
Home Cooking
NU is off to its best start at home since the 2004-05 season. NU is 8-1 through its first eight games which is tied for its second best start under Joe Mihalich.
Double Figures Scoring
Antoine Mason has scored in double figures through the first 20 games this season and in 27 straight games dating back to last season. Mason’s streak to open the season surpassed backcourt teammate Juan’ya Green start to last season, when he scored in double figures in the first 18 games. Mason’s 27 straight games streak is the longest since Charron Fisher completed the feat 53 straight times from 2006-08 (all 29 games in 2007-08).
Conference Win Streaks Around The Nation
NU’s eight-game conference win streak is tied for 8th longest in the nation with Louisiana Tech. Montana leads the nation in regular season conference wins with 20 dating back to last season.
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (13-7, 6-3 MAAC)
Canisius heads into Sunday’s rivalry game winners of three straight and is 8-1 at home this season. Three Golden Griffins are in averaging double figures, led junior Billy Baron with 16.4 ppg and is first in the MAAC with 5.6 apg.
Against the Golden Griffins (Niagara leads 99-73)
The 172 previous meetings are the most against a single opponent in both schools’ history. Niagara has dominated the series with its archrivals, including winning 17 of the last 20 meetings and eight of the last 11 at Canisius.
Last Meeting - March 3, 2012
No. 10 Canisius 70, No. 7 Niagara 80
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Five Purple Eagles scored in double figures as No. 7 Niagara topped archrival tenth-seeded Canisius, 80-70, in the 2012 MAAC Tournament First Round on Friday at the MassMutual Center.
Battle of the Bridge
The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its seventh season in 2012-13. After Niagara claimed the inaugural competition, Canisius won the series the next two years, before Niagara claimed the Canal Cup at the end of the 2009-10 season. With the series tied 2-2, Canisius edged Niagara for the 2010-11 & 2011-12 title.
Points are awarded to the winner of regular-season contests, except for cross country, golf and swimming and diving, which will be determined by MAAC Championship standings. The Canal Cup will be awarded to the victor each year.
The name of the series is in reference to the Grand Island Bridge, which each team crosses when traveling to the other’s campus. The name of the trophy is in reference to the Erie Canal, which intersects Niagara County, where Niagara is located, and Erie County, where Canisius is located.
Niagara is currently leading this season’s series, 6-5, and needs 17 points to win the cup. The winner of the basketball game will receive two points.
Little 3 Love
The Purple Eagles have dominated the Little 3 in recent seasons, owning a 25-5 record in the last 29 games against Canisius and St. Bonaventure. Niagara is 17-3 versus the Golden Griffins since Feb. 12, 2003 and 8-2 against St. Bonaventure.
Road Tough
Four of Niagara’s eight conference wins have come on the road. This is the first time Niagara has won four of its first five MAAC road games since the 2002-03 season (won four of first five).
NU has gone 4-1 on three other occasions, but never went 5-1 through its first six MAAC road games.
Not A Bad Day On The Job
Juan’ya Green played arguably his best all-around game as a Purple Eagle in the win at Siena on Jan. 25. Green notched his first career double-double with 19 points while tying a career-best 11 assists and had one turnover in 40 minutes, but his career-high nine rebounds left him one board shy of the program’s second ever triple-double. Green also tied a career-high with two blocks.
