Game Notes | ESPN3/WatchESPN | Live Audio | Live Stats

First Place Purps
The MAAC-leading Niagara Purple Eagles head to Marist for a nationally broadcast matchup on ESPN3 on Friday at 8 p.m.

After reeling off a program-best 10 straight conference wins, Niagara has dropped its last three MAAC contests by an average of four points. Niagara holds a one game lead in the MAAC with four conference games remaining.

The Purple Eagles start their final road trip of the season at Marist, which has won its last two games, on Friday. Niagara won the first meeting between the Red Foxes, 94-72, on Jan. 3 for its first 20-point win since Dec. 2009.  Four Purple Eagles scored in double figures, led by Ameen Tanksley's 22 points. The season-high 94 points were the most in a regular season non-overtime game since Feb. 2009. The Purple Eagles shot 52.2 percent from the field and tied a season-high with 18 assists.
 
Tipoff Tidbits
~ Antoine Mason (18.9) and Juan'ya Green (16.5) are the sixth highest scoring duo in the nation at 35.4 points per game.
~ Antoine Mason has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury he suffered in double overtime versus Loyola. Mason is second in the conference and 29th in the nation in scoring with 18.9 points per game. He has scored in double figures in 30 straight games, which is the third longest active streak in the nation.
~ Three-point specialist Marvin Jordan needs two more triples for 200 in his career and six more to tie David Brooks for fifth place.
~ NU is currently on a season-long three-game losing streak. NU snapped the previous skid with win at Loyola on Dec. 5 which was the first of 10 straight conference wins.
~ Juan’ya Green ranks in the top 10 in the MAAC in scoring (sixth), assists (second), steals (second), assists/turnover ratio (third) and minutes per game (second).
~ The Purple Eagles are a MAAC-best 5-2 in conference road games.
 
How To Tune In        
Friday’s game will be broadcasted live 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.
 
MAAC Start Sets Program Record
Niagara had its best start in conference play in its 24-year history as a MAAC member. The Purple Eagles’ 10-1 start was their best ever, breaking the record set during the 1998-99 season.
  
Home Cooking
NU started its home slate 9-1 which was its best start since the 2004-05 season when the Purple Eagles went unbeaten.
 
Double Figures Scoring
Antoine Mason has scored in double figures in 23 straight games this season and in 30 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 30 straight games streak is the longest by a Purple Eagle since Charron Fisher completed the feat 53 straight times from 2006-08 (all 29 games in 2007-08). 

Mason’s double figures streak is the third longest active streak in the nation behind South Dakota State’s Nate Wolters (62) and Delaware’s Devon Saddler (31).
 
Dynamic Duo Scoring Leaders
Antoine Mason (18.9) and Juan’ya Green (16.5) are the sixth highest scoring duo in the nation at 35.4 points per game. The duo is the youngest pair on the top list. Iona’s Lamont Jones and Sean Armand are first at 40.9 ppg.
  
On The Court
Marist Red Foxes (7-18, 4-10 MAAC)
Marist has won its last two games heading into Friday’s night game. Chavaughn Lewis (15.8 ppg) and Devin Price (14.0 ppg) are the two Red Foxes averaging in double figures. Lewis lead the MAAC in steals at 2.1 per game while Adam Kemp  is second in the conference in blocks per set (2.0) and third in field goal percentage (53.1) and rebounds per game (8.6).
 
Against the Red Foxes (NU leads 21-15)
Niagara has won seven of the last 10 meetings in the series that started on Dec 5, 1987. The Purple Eagles have won the last six meetings at the Gallagher Center, which is the longest home winning streak by either team in the series. However, NU has only one win in the last five trips at Marist (Jan. 18, 2010). 
 
Last Meeting - January 3, 2013
Marist 72, Niagara 94
 
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s basketball team opened its MAAC home schedule with a resounding 94-72 win over the Marist Red Foxes on Friday.
 
February Fever
Niagara is 34-16 since the 2006-07 season, including a splendid 21-5 mark at the Gallagher Center. NU opened February with a double overtime setback at home against Loyola on Feb. 2 and will play six more games in the month including a home BracketBusters game against Northwestern State. Niagara has five straight seasons with a winning record during this month.
 
Road Tough
Half of Niagara’s 10 conference wins have come on the road, including winning five of its first six MAAC road games for the first time in program history.

NU is two wins away from tying its best ever conference road record which is 7-2 set during the 2000-01 season.