The Niagara Purple Eagles welcome archrival Canisius to the Gallagher Center on Friday in a nationally-televised matchup on ESPNU at 7 p.m.
 
How To Tune In
•  The game will air live on ESPNU with Tiffany Greene and Jerod Ward on the call.
•  Listen live on the Niagara Sports Network via AM 1400 WWWS or PurpleEagles.com/Watch with Todd Callen, the Voice of the Purple Eagles, on the call.
 

•  The legendary Gallagher Center will be the scene for the longest current rivalry in the MAAC. Niagara has played Canisius more than any other program in a series that started during Niagara's inaugural season in the 1905-06.
•  The Purple Eagles are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings and are 7-3 in their last 10 home encounters, but are in search of their first home win in the series since February 2012.
•  The Purple Eagles snapped their four-game losing streak in the series with an 82-71 win at Canisius on February 24, 2015. NU had a 78.9 field goal percent in the second half to set a Koessler Athletic Center record for field goal percentage in a half.
 

•  Niagara is second in the MAAC in overall scoring defense (69.8) and is on pace for its lowest points per game allowed total since the 2009-10 season (69.4).
•  Through eight league games, the Purple Eagles lead the MAAC in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.323) and are second in scoring defense (65.5).
•  Niagara made a season-high 22 free throws at Manhattan on January 17. A pair of Purple Eagles set career-highs with nine free throws apiece (Matt Scott, Chris Barton).  
•  The Purple Eagles tied a season-high in assists with 17 while having a season-low 10 turnovers in the win over Saint Peter's on January 7.
•  Matt Scott is the only player in the MAAC to lead his team in points per game (14.8), rebounds per game (6.8), steals per game (1.5), total assists (51) and free throws made (78).  
•  NU is in search of its first three-game home win streak since winning eight straight from November 2012 to January 2013.
 
Chairmen of the Boards
•  In Niagara's win over Manhattan on January 9, the Purple Eagles outrebounded the Jaspers with a season-high 46 rebounds to 27, including 19 offensive rebounds.
•  The plus-19 rebounding margin is the largest since having a plus-24 advantage at Siena on Feb. 25, 2006; the 19 offensive rebounds are the most since having 21 at Iona on Jan. 4, 2014. 
•  The 46 rebounds are the most since grabbing 48 against Iona on Feb. 7, 2014.
 
May The Fourth Be With You
•  Matt Scott collected his fourth double-double of the season and in his career with team-highs in scoring with 17 and in rebounds with 10 at Fairfield on January 15.
•  Scott's four double-doubles are tied for third in the MAAC.
•  Scott's four double-doubles are the most by a Purple Eagle guard since Anthony Nelson had four, including a triple-double, during the 2010-11 season. 

On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (9-10/4-4 MAAC)
•  After its four-game winning streak was immediately followed with a four-game losing streak, Canisius comes to Monteagle Ridge fresh off a pair of MAAC road victories.
•  The Golden Griffins lead the MAAC with a +2.95 turnover margin and a 1.3 assist/turnover ratio while placing second in the conference with 80.2 points per game and a .735 free throw percentage.
•  Malcolm McMillan (16.0 ppg), Phil Valenti (14.9 ppg), Kassius Robertson (13.7 ppg) and Jermaine Crumpton (12.8 ppg) all average double-figures on the season.
 
Against the Griffins (Niagara leads, 101-77)
•  Niagara and Canisius have faced off against each other more times than they have against any other team (178 meetings).
•  Niagara is seeking its first home victory over Canisius since Feb. 15, 2012, when a 60-57 overtime decision capped NU's nine-game home winning streak in the series
•  The most recent game saw Purple Eagles snap a four-game losing streak in the series, their longest since dropping five straight from January 1994 to February 1995.
 
Last Meeting – February 24, 2015
Niagara 82, Canisius 71
 
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles used a second half offensive explosion to rally past rival Canisius, 82-71, on Tuesday night for their third straight win. 

 
Battle of the Bridge
• The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its 10th season in 2015-16.
• 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 five competitions.
• Canisius leads 7.5-4.5 through eight competitions this season. The winner of the basketball game will receive two points.