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The Niagara Purple Eagles and Canisius Golden Griffins continue their historic rivalry on Saturday, December 6 at 3 p.m. on ESPN3.

The legendary 'Taps' Gallagher Center will be the scene for the longest current rivalry in the MAAC. After winning five straight in the series, Niagara has dropped three straight for the first time since losing three consecutive meetings from Feb. 1997 to Dec. 1997. The Purple Eagles are looking to avoid losing three straight at home since the mid 1980s.

Both teams enter Saturday's contest with a 1-0 record in conference play with each team picking up road wins at Saint Peter's. Niagara is looking for its first 2-0 start to MAAC play since the 2009-10 season.
 
Tipoff Tidbits
•  The Purple Eagles are 18-6 in the last 24 meetings with the Golden Griffins and have won nine of the last 11 meetings at the Gallagher Center.
•  Redshirt sophomore Emile Blackman led all scorers with 21 points at St. John's on Dec. 2, which are the most by a Purple Eagle this season. Blackman leads the team in scoring with 12.6 ppg.
•  Sophomore Ramone Snowden recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds at St. John's on Dec. 2. Snowden has already doubled his double-double total from last season and ranks second in the MAAC and 49th in the nation in double-doubles.
•  Snowden's 6.6 defensive rebounds per game ranks him third in the MAAC and 33rd in the nation.
•  According to KenPom.com, Niagara is the SIXTH youngest team in the nation. NU has 13 underclassmen on the roster.    
 
How To Tune In
• Saturday's game will air live on ESPN3 with Doug Sherman and Rob Kennedy on the call.
• Fans can listen live to all of the action from "The Voice of the Purple Eagles" Todd Callen on WGR 550 AM and free online on the Niagara Sports Network via PurpleEagles.com.
 
Legacy Of Niagara Basketball Panel
•  Prior to the game, a Legacy of Niagara Basketball panel will be held in the Castellani Art Museum at 11 a.m.
•  The panel features Frank Layden, '55, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Hubie Brown, '55, and Calvin Murphy, '70, and United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Hall of Famer Dick Weiss.
• To RSVP for the panel, please contact Jennifer Ebbole at 716.286.8600. Admission is free, but reservations are required.

Gallagher Center Court To Be Named For Frank and Barbara Layden
•  Niagara University will officially unveil the naming of the Gallagher Center court after Frank and Barbara Layden on Saturday, Dec. 6, before the Purple Eagles host Canisius College at 3 p.m.
•  Layden played for Niagara from 1951-55 under John "Taps" Gallagher and coached Niagara for eight seasons while leading the Purple Eagles to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1970.
•  Layden coached in the NBA as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks (1976-79) and then was the general manager (1979-87), head coach (1981-89) and president (1989-99) for the Jazz organization.
•  Layden was named the 1983-84 NBA Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, and was the recipient of the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which is annually given to a player or coach who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.
 
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (3-3/1-0 MAAC)
•  The Golden Griffins have split their fix six games to start the season.
•  Canisius won its MAAC opener at Saint Peter's, 60-57, on Dec. 3.
•  The Griffins are averaging 59.5 points per game. Zach Lewis leads the team in scoring with 13.3 ppg.
 
Against the Griffins (Niagara, 100-76)
•  Niagara and Canisius have faced off against each other more times than they have against any other team (176 meetings).
•  Niagara has dominated the series with its archrival recently. The Purple Eagles have won 18 of the last 24 meetings and nine of the last 11 at the Gallagher Center.
 
Last Meeting – February 14, 2014
Canisius 71, Niagara 65
 
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were edged by the Canisius Golden Griffins, 71-65, on Friday night in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPNU.
 

The Series	Niagara leads 100-76
Last Game	February 14, 2014
	Canisius 71, Niagara 65
Last Niagara win	January 27, 2013
	Niagara 66, Canisius 65
Last Canisius win	February 14, 2014
	Canisius 71, Niagara 65
Last Niagara win at Home	February 15, 2012
	Canisius 57, Niagara 60
Last Canisius win at Niagara	February 14, 2014
	Canisius 71, Niagara 65
Current streak	Canisius, W3
Coach Casey vs. Canisius	0-2

 
Battle of the Bridge
• The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its ninth season in 2014-15.
• 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 has won the last four competitions.
• NU and Canisius are tied at 5-5 through six competitions this season. The winner of the basketball game will receive two points.
 
Little 3 Business
• The Purple Eagles have dominated the Little 3 in recent seasons, owning a 26-10 record in the last 36 games against Canisius and St. Bonaventure.
• Niagara is 18-6 versus the Golden Griffins ns since Feb. 12, 2003 and is 8-4 against St. Bonaventure.
• However, NU has dropped the last seven meetings to Canisius and St. Bonaventure.