Game Notes | ESPN3 | Live Audio | Live Stats

The Niagara Purple Eagles will embark on a three-game road swing starting on Thursday when they face the Fairfield Stags at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN3.

After closing the 2013 calendar winning three of their last four games, the Purple Eagles (4-13, 1-5 MAAC) remain winless four games into 2014 with defeats to Rider (twice), Iona and Monmouth.

The Purple Eagles, who are in search of their first road win of the season, will face a Stags (3-13, 0-6 MAAC) team who are also on a four-game losing streak.

Niagara edged Fairfield in two close games last season to sweep the series for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
 
Tipoff Tidbits
• Contrast in style: Niagara has the eighth fastest adjusted tempo in the nation and is third in the MAAC in scoring (78.5), while Fairfield is second in the conference in scoring defense (69.9) and field goal defensive percentage (40.1).
• Antoine Mason was named College Hoops Daily's MAAC Player of the 2013 Non-Conference Year.
• Tahjere McCall scored a career-high 23 points on a career-best seven field goals and eight free throws against Rider on Jan. 12.
• NU is second in the nation in free throw attempts (544) and free throws made (379).
• Ramone Snowden set career-highs in points (23), field goals (nine), 3-pointers (four) and steals (three) at Iona on Jan. 4. Snowden scored all 23 points in the second half and led the game with three steals.
• Niagara leads the MAAC with 138 steals and is second in turnover margin (+2.24).

How to Tune In
• Thursday's game will air live on ESPN3 with Doug Sherman and Rob Kennedy on the call.
•  Fans can listen live to all the action from "The Voice of the Purple Eagles" Todd Callen on ESPN 1520 AM and free online through Purple Eagles All-Access.
 
Top Gun
•    Antoine Mason is LEADING the nation in scoring at 28.3 points per game.
•    Mason LEADS the nation in field goals made (148), field goals attempts (328), free throws made (157) and free throw attempts (206).
•    Mason accounts for 36 percent of Niagara points which LEADS the country.
•    He holds the highest scoring game in the MAAC this season (career-high 39 vs. Brown).
•    He LEADS the nation in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (8.8).
 
Scoring Machine
•    Antoine Mason has 21 straight games in double figures.
•    His career-high 39 points versus Brown are tied for the 11th most in NCAA Division I this season.
•    Mason has nine 30-point games this season, including a stretch of five straight (Nov. 21-30).
•    Mason scored at least 20 points in 11 straight games dating back to last season (snapped on Dec. 6) and has scored at least 20 points in 16 of 17 games this season.
•    Mason has scored at least 20 points in a half eight times this season, including six times in the second half (five straight from Nov. 21-30).
 
Mason Quickly Moving Up NU All-Time Scoring List
•  Antoine Mason entered the top-20 all-time scorers list at Niagara on Nov. 30.
•  Mason, who started the season 38th on the list, is currently 12th and is 28 points away from moving ahead of Al Butler ('71) for 11th all-time.  
 
The "Taj Mahal"
•  Tahjere McCall scored a career-high 23 points against the Rider Broncs on Jan. 12.
•  McCall set career-marks with seven field goals (7-for-10) and eight free throws (8-for-10).
•  McCall had a game-high three assists and shared team-highs with two steals and one block. He also grabbed five rebounds.
 
On The Court
Fairfield (3-13, 0-6 MAAC)
•  Fairfield is on a four-game losing streak and is the only team in the MAAC without a conference win.
•  Two Stags are in double figures - Marcus Gilbert (13.1 ppg) and Maurice Barrow (11.8).
•  Fairfield leads the MAAC in field goal defensive percentage (40.1) and second in scoring defense (69.9 ppg).
 
Against The Stags (Niagara leads, 37-26)
•  Niagara leads the series with Fairfield, 37-26, in a series which began during the 1965-66 season.
•  After losing six straight to Fairfield, Niagara swept the series last season for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
•  The Purple Eagles are 3-3 in the last six trips to Fairfield.
 
Last Meeting - January 13, 2013
Niagara 67, Fairfield 64
 
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Niagara men's basketball team grinded out a 67-64 win over the Fairfield Stags on Sunday for its fifth straight conference victory. Niagara remains at the top of the conference with a 5-1 record, which is its best start to MAAC play since the 2007-08 season.