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The Niagara Purple Eagles return to the Gallagher Center for the first time in almost three weeks to host the Iona Gaels in the first MAAC game of the season.

Niagara (5-6, 0-0 MAAC) enters the game with a three-game home winning streak, it’s longest since the 2009-10 season when it had a five-game winning streak at home.  It finished last season with two-consecutive conference wins against Manhattan and Siena at the end of a stretch that saw the team win 5-of-8.  Eventually they would lose to eventual champions Marist in the semi-finals.

The Purple Eagles are led by the duo of Lauren Gatto (13.3 ppg) and Chanel Johnson (8.9 ppg).  Gatto was one of two Purple Eagles to make the preseason All-MAAC teams, being named to the Second Team.  Kayla Stroman, who was named to the First Team, was the other.

"Chanel has stepped up this season and become one of our better offensive weapons," head coach Kendra Faustin said.  "Not to mention she is our best on-the-ball defender."

Iona (5-6, 0-0 MAAC) enter the game winners in two of its last three games.  This season they are again led by preseason first-team All-MAAC Damika Martinez and the sophomore’s 17.7 ppg.

How to Tune In
Fans can enjoy the live video streaming, as well as live stats, on PurpleEagles.com.

Last Time Out
The Purple Eagles finished their non-conference season dropping an 82-44 decision to Michigan last Saturday at the Crisler Center.

Niagara (5-6) owned the early part of the second half going on an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to 48-31.  Heading into the 12-minute media timeout, they had hit 54.2 percent (6-of-11) of their shots from the field.  Michigan (11-2) was able to turn things around throughout the half to come away with an 82-44 win.

On The Court: Iona Gaels (5-6, 0-0 MAAC)
The Gaels enter Friday’s match-up winners of three of their last five contests after defeating Wagner 74-67, Columbia 67-63, and Colgate 73-47.  The two losses came against Bryant and Stony Brook by a combined 147-135.

Iona is 3-5 on the road this season with two of the losses coming to ranked opponents.  On Nov. 18 they lost to No. 3/3 Duke 100-31 and dropped a 71-55 decision to No 20/18 St. John’s. 

This year’s squad is led by Damika Martinez who has 17.7 ppg and another 5.0 rpg through 11 games.

Opening Up Conference Play
Since joining the MAAC, the Purple Eagles are 11-11 all-time in the first game of conference play.

First Time For Everything
Friday’s game will be the first time in history that the Purple Eagles open up the conference schedule with a game against Iona.

Turning the Tide
Last season’s 68-55 win over the Gaels broke Niagara’s 14-game losing streak that had gone back to 2006.

Calming The Gaels
The longest stretch of success for Niagara againt Iona came between 1992-96 when the Purple Eagles won 10-consecutive games.  If you go back to 1990, NU took 12-of-13.

Winning At Home
The last time the Purple Eagles topped the Gaels in the Gallagher Center was on Jan. 16, 2005.  Niagara was led by Eva Cunningham’s 22 points to a 78-65 victory.  It was the final win of that season’s six-game winning streak.

300 Club
Kayla Stroman recorded a pair of rebounds in Niagara’s matchup with the Michigan Wolverines on Dec. 29, 2012 to become the second active Purple Eagle with 300 career rebounds.  The other is Lauren Gatto.