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First Place Purps
The first place Niagara Purple Eagles, who are winners of seven straight games, begin the month of February hosting the defending MAAC Tournament Champion Loyola Greyhounds on Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Purple Eagles extended their conference win streak to 10 games after a scintillating overtime victory over Iona on Friday. NU rallied from a 15-point second half deficit, including trailing by seven points with 55 seconds left, to force overtime with a last second 3-pointer by Juan’ya Green, followed by the game-winner by the sophomore standout with 0.5 second left in overtime.
Niagara’s conference win streak started with a 62-61 win over Loyola on Dec. 5. NU has won 11 of the last 14 meetings with the Greyhounds, but hasn’t won at home since Dec. 2009.
Tipoff Tidbits
~ Joe Mihalich’s 26 career wins versus Loyola are the most against any team.
~ NU is 11-2 in its last 13 games for its best run since the 2009 season (12-1).
~ The Purple Eagles set a program-best MAAC stat with a 10-1 record, breaking the record set during was set during the 1998-99 season.
~ The 10-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 tied for 4th longest conference win streak in the nation.
~ Juan’ya Green is averaging nine assists in his last three games.
~ Antoine Mason is second in the conference and 33rd in the nation in scoring with 18.7 points per game. He has scored in double figures in 29 straight games.
~ NU is ranked 25th in this week’s CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll.
~ Niagara is 6-0 at home against a defending MAAC champion since 2005 - Manhattan in 2005, Iona in 2007, Siena in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and Saint Peter’s in 2012.
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/tickets. The Gallagher Center Ticket Office opens one hour prior to tip-off.
How To Tune In
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on LCTV. 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.
MAAC Start Sets Program Record
Niagara is off to its best start in conference play in its 24-year history as a MAAC member. The Purple Eagles’ 10-1 record is their best start ever, breaking the record set during the 1998-99 season.
Home Cooking
NU is off to its best starts at home since the 2004-05 season. NU is 9-1 through its first 10 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 22 games this season and in 29 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 29 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 10-game conference win streak is tied for fourth longest in the nation with Norfolk State and Memphis. Montana leads the nation in regular season conference wins with 22 dating back to last season.
Green Nabs Second MAAC POW Award
Juan’ya Green collected his second MAAC Player of the Week award of the season when he was named co-player of the week on Jan. 28. Green averaged 14 points per game, 9.5 assists per game and 7 rebounds per game while setting a career-high in rebounds and tying career-highs in assists, steals and blocks as the Niagara Purple Eagles extended their conference win streak to nine games with wins at Siena and Canisius.
Green was also named ECAC Co-Player of the Week and Buffalo News Big Four Player of the Week.
On The Court
Loyola Greyhounds (15-8/7-4 MAAC)
Loyola has dropped its last two games after winning three straight and is 8-5 overall since the first meeting with NU. The Greyhounds lead the MAAC in block shots per game (4.8), are second in the conference in scoring defense (62.1 ppg) and 3-point field goal defensive percentage (30.6) and in third in field goal percentage defense (41.1). Dylon Cormier leads the team in scoring with 17.4 ppg and with 2.2 apg, while Erik Etherly leads the team with 6.7 rpg.
Against the Greyhounds (Niagara, 35-17)
Niagara has a commanding 35-17 lead in the all-time series. The Purple Eagles have won 11 of the last 14 encounters, including winning at Loyola for the sixth straight time earlier this season. The Purple Eagles have lost the last two home meetings.
Last Meeting - December 5, 2012
Niagara 62, Loyola 61
BALTIMORE – The Niagara men’s basketball team held off a late Loyola Greyhounds’ run to defeat the defending MAAC champions, 62-61, on Wednesday for its sixth straight win at Reitz Arena.
February Fever
Niagara is 34-13 since the 2006-07 season, including a splendid 21-3 mark at the Gallagher Center. NU opens its February schedule at home against Loyola on Feb. 2 and will play six more games in the month including a home ESPN BracketBusters game. Niagara has five straight seasons with a winning record during this month.
NU Ranked 25th In Mid-Major Poll
The Niagara Purple Eagles cracked into the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll for the first time this season on Jan. 28. NU, which has received votes three times this season, is ranked 25th in the weekly poll. Niagara is ranked in the poll for the first time since the 2008-09 season when the Purple and White were ranked 10th heading into the2009 MAAC Tournament.
Almost Perfect
Niagara nearly had a perfect month to start the New Year. The Purple Eagles went 8-1 to surge into the top spot in the MAAC. NU was a one-point overtime loss in a mid-week contest at Brown from going unbeaten in the month.
The 8-1 mark is NU’s best record in January since going 7-0 during the 1958-59 season under John ‘Taps’ Gallagher.
Mason, Green Spark Comeback Win
Antoine Mason and Juan’ya Green ignited NU’s remarkable comeback overtime 93-90 win over Iona on Jan. 31. Mason and Green outlasted the duo of Iona’s Lamont Jones and Sean Armand, who are considered one of the ‘best’ backcourt duos in the nation.
Mason set a new career-high with a game-high 30 points, while Green scored the game-tying 3-pointer in regulation with 4.5 seconds left and the game-winning 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds in overtime. Green finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, five rebounds and game-high three steals.
