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Game 30
Niagara Purple Eagles (18-11, 11-5 MAAC) vs. Canisius Golden Griffins (19-10, 13-3 MAAC)
Wednesday, February 21 – 7:00 PM
Frank and Barbara Layden Court at the Gallagher Center
Broadcast: LCTV – Todd Callen
Radio: WGR 550 AM – Todd Callen
 
The Niagara Purple Eagles will look to sweep the season series versus archrival Canisius for the second straight season when they host the Golden Griffins on Wednesday, February 21 at 7 p.m.  
 
Scene Setter
•  Niagara versus Canisius is the longest 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).
•  Niagara sits in third place with an 11-5 MAAC record, two games behind Canisius for second place, with two conference games remaining.
•  The Purple Eagles set season-highs in points (105), free throws made (28), 3-pointers made (15), and in 3-point field goal percentage (.577), and a then season-high in field goal percentage en route to defeating Canisius, 105-89, on January 27.
•  Niagara has won three straight in the series for the first time since winning five in-a-row from February 2011 to January 2013.
•  Niagara has scored 90-plus points in four straight games against Canisius.
•  The Purple Eagles look to sweep the series in consecutive seasons for the first time since sweeping the series in four straight seasons from the 2003-04 to 2006-07 seasons.
•  The Purple Eagles are 11-3 in their last 14 games, including a five-game win streak from January 5-18, and a four-game win streak from February 4-16.
 
Tipoff Tidbits
•  The Purple Eagles LEAD the MAAC in points per game (83.4), total blocks (127), blocks per game (4.4), and in fewest turnovers per game (11.2). Niagara is second in the NCAA in free throws made (522).
•  Matt Scott is seventh on the NU all-time scoring list with 1,719 points and is 10 points behind Tremmel Darden ('04) for sixth. Scott ranks 29th among active scorers in NCAA Division I.
•  Kahlil Dukes led all scorers with a career-high with 37 points at Monmouth on February 4. The 37 points are the most by a Purple Eagle since Antoine Mason's 38 points against Marist on March 6, 2014.
•  Marvin Prochet LEADS the conference in rebounds per game (7.7) and in defensive rebounds per game (5.7). Prochet's eight 10-rebound games LEAD the MAAC along with teammate Matt Scott.
•  Kahlil Dukes LEADS the conference in free throw percentage (.904), and is second in 3-pointers per game (2.9), and total 3-pointers made (85). Dukes is fifth in the NCAA in career active free throw percentage (.907).
• Kahlil Dukes' 19 20-point games LEAD the MAAC and are tied for seventh most in the NCAA.
•  In the last six games, Greg King has averaged 9.5 rebounds and had four games in double-digit rebounds, including a career-high 12 at Iona on February 16.
•  Niagara's eight home wins are the most in five seasons.
•  The Purple Eagles' 105 points at Canisius are the most in the MAAC this season.
 
On The Court
Canisius Golden Griffins (19-10, 13-3 MAAC)
•  Canisius is in second place in the MAAC standings with a 13-3 conference record.
•  Canisius went on a six-game winning streak after falling to Niagara on January 27 before losing at Rider, 83-82, on February 18.
•  Three Golden Griffins are averaging double figures - Jermaine Crumpton (17.1 ppg), Isaiah Reese (16.4) and Takal Molson (12.2). Reese also leads the MAAC in steals per game (2.3), while Malik Johnson leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio (2.7).
•  Canisius leads the MAAC in assists per game (16.9) and defensive three-point field goal percentage (.324), while tied for first in the conference in scoring margin ( 5.1).
   
Against the Golden Griffins (Niagara leads 104-80)
•  The Purple Eagles are 21-10 in the last 31 meetings.
•  Niagara is 10-5 in its last 15 home games against Canisius.
•  NU is in search of consecutive home wins in the series for the first time since winning nine straight at the Gallagher Center from 2003-12.
 
Last Meeting - January 27, 2018
Niagara 105, Canisius 89
 
BUFFALO, N.Y. –The Niagara University Purple Eagles set season-highs in points, field goal percentage, free throws made, 3-pointers made, and in 3-point field goal percentage en route to defeating rival Canisius, 105-89, on Saturday night.
 

The Series	Niagara leads 104-80
Last Game	January 27, 2018
	Niagara 105, Canisius 89
Last Niagara win	January 27, 2018
	Niagara 105, Canisius 89
Last Canisius win	February 25, 2016
	Canisius 65, Niagara 60
Last Niagara win at Home	January 23, 2017
	Niagara 91, Canisius 84
Last Canisius win at Niagara	January 22, 2016
	Canisius 70, Niagara 61
Current Streak	Niagara, W3

 
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 19-3 through 13 competitions this season. The winner of the basketball game will receive two points.
 
Century Mark At Canisius
•  Niagara scored 105 points in its win at Canisius on January 17 to reach the century mark in regulation for the first time in four seasons.
•  The Purple Eagles' 105 points are the most in the MAAC this season and the most since scoring 105 in double overtime against Quinnipiac on February 1, 2015.
•  It also marks the first time Niagara has scored 100 points at the Koessler Athletic Center.
•  It was the first time Niagara has scored 100-plus points against Canisius since a 113-101 win on February 16, 2005.