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Game 23
Niagara Purple Eagles (13-9, 6-3 MAAC) vs. Canisius Golden Griffins (13-8, 7-1 MAAC)
Saturday, January 27 – 7:00 PM
Koessler Athletic Center – Canisius College
Broadcast: ESPN3 – Jay Moran/Richard Walsh
Radio: WGR 550 AM – Todd Callen
 
The Niagara Purple Eagles will cross the Grand Island Bridges to play the conference-leading Canisius Golden Griffins on Saturday, January 27 at 7 p.m.
 
Scene Setter
•  Niagara versus Canisius is 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 (1905-06).
•  The Purple Eagles enter Saturday's rivalry contest winners of six of their last seven games.
Niagara swept last season's series with Canisius for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
•  In two of the last three visits to Canisius, the Purple Eagles have shot over 78 percent from the field in the second half en route to victories. The Purple Eagles shot 78.6 percent (22-for-28) from the field last season and shot 78.9 percent against Canisius on February 24, 2015, which set a Koessler Athletic Center record.
•  Niagara is 6-1 in the month of January for its best January mark since going 9-1 in 2013.
•  The Purple Eagles are also in search of beating two Big 4 teams in the same season since 2010-11 (St. Bonaventure and Canisius).
•  Niagara is 7-4 on the road this season and is the only team in the MAAC with a winning overall road record.
   
Tipoff Tidbits
•  The Purple Eagles LEAD the MAAC in points per game (82.6), total blocks (94), blocks per game (4.3), and in fewest turnovers per game (11.5). Niagara LEADS the NCAA in free throws made and in free throw attempts.
•  Matt Scott is now in the top-10 on the career-scoring list after moving ahead of Joe Arlauckas ('87) and Andy Walker ('76). Scott is 10th on the all-time list with 1,626 points and is 30 behind Alex Ellis ('58) for ninth. Scott ranks 28th among active scorers in NCAA Division I with 1,626 points.
•  Kahlil Dukes is 33 points away from scoring 1,000 points at Niagara.
•  Marvin Prochet LEADS the conference in rebounds per game (8.1) and defensive rebounds per game (6.0). Prochet's seven 10-rebound games LEAD the MAAC.
•  Kahlil Dukes LEADS the conference in free throw percentage (.898), in 3-point field goal percentage (.440), 3-pointers per game (3.0), and total 3-pointers made (66). Dukes is fourth in the NCAA in career active free throw percentage (.905).
•  Kahlil Dukes' 15 20-point games lead the MAAC and are tied for fourth most in the NCAA.
•  Matt Scott's 16 career double-doubles lead all active MAAC players.
•  Four Purple Eagles are averaging double figures in MAAC games – Kahlil Dukes (19.1 ppg), Matt Scott (15.9 ppg), Marvin Prochet (11.0 ppg), and James Towns (10.3 ppg).
•  Four Purple Eagles are averaging double figures against Canisius in their careers - Kahlil Dukes (16.5 ppg), Kevin Larkin (16.0 ppg), Matt Scott (12.5 ppg), and Marvin Prochet (10.2 ppg).
 
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (13-8, 7-1 MAAC)
•  Canisius sits in first place in the MAAC with a 7-1 record through eight games for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
•  Canisius has the longest current win streak in the MAAC at four games.
•  Three Golden Griffins are averaging double figures – Isaiah Reese (16.5 ppg), Jermaine Crumpton (15.9 ppg), and Takal Molson (12.6 ppg).
•  Three Golden Griffins have earned MAAC weekly awards – Isaiah Reese (MAAC Player of the Week twice), Jermaine Crumpton (MAAC Player of the Week), and Takal Molson (MAAC Rookie of the Week twice).
•  Canisius leads the MAAC in field goal percentage (.467), 3-point field goal percentage (.324), assists (360), and assists per game (17.1).
   
Against the Golden Griffins (Niagara leads 103-80)
•  The Purple Eagles are 20-10 in the last 30 meetings, including sweeping the series last season for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
•  The Purple Eagles are 11-6 in their last 17 games at Canisius, including winning four of the last six trips.
 
Last Meeting - February 10, 2017
Niagara 94, Canisius 81
 
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Behind a second half offensive eruption, the Niagara Purple Eagles put away the Canisius Golden Griffins, 94-81, on Friday night to complete the season sweep.
 

The Series	Niagara leads 103-80
Last Game	February 10, 2017
	Niagara 94, Canisius 81
Last Niagara win	February 10, 2017
	Niagara 94, Canisius 81
Last Canisius win	March 3, 2016
	Canisius 102, Niagara 97 (3 OT)
Last Niagara win at Canisius	February 10, 2017
	Niagara 94, Canisius 81
Last Canisius win at Home	February 25, 2016
	Canisius 65, Niagara 60
Current Streak	Niagara, W2

 
Battle of the Bridge
•  The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its 12th season in 2017-18
•  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 seven competitions.
•  Canisius leads 11-1 through eight competitions this season. The winner of the basketball game will receive two points.
 
Road Warriors
•  Niagara is 7-4 on the road this season and is the only team in the MAAC with a winning overall road record.
•  The Purple Eagles' seven road wins are tied for the second most in the nation.
•  Niagara's road percentage ranks in the top-40 in the nation. 
•  The Purple Eagles had a streak of six straight road wins from December 5 to January 18, which was tied for the fourth longest streak in the nation.
 
It Takes Two
•  Kahlil Dukes (20.8) and Matt Scott (20.6) are one of the top scoring pairs in the nation. Dukes and Scott are first and third, respectively, in scoring in the MAAC.
•  The duo is the only pair in the NCAA to have at least 14 20-point games this season.
•  The tandem has scored 20-plus points in the same game nine times this season.
•  The pair ranks atop of the MAAC in total field goals made and total field goal attempts.
 
1,500/600 Club
•  Matt Scott is one of 14 active players in NCAA Division I to be in the 1,500 points and 600 rebounds club. He is seventh on the list.
•  Scott is one of only eight players in Niagara history to have 1,500 points and 600 rebounds.