Coming off a dramatic buzzer-beating victory over the Rider Broncs, the Niagara Purple Eagles welcome the Siena Saints on Sunday, January 19 at 1 p.m.
Scene Setter
• The Purple Eagles have won their last two games - against the top two teams in the MAAC preseason poll - which were both decided in the final seconds.
• After edging preseason favorite Iona, 70-69, on January 12, the Purple Eagles beat the Broncs at the buzzer in the Gallagher Center on January 17.
• Sophomore
Marcus Hammond connected a baseline jumper as time expired to down Rider, 70-68, to improve to 3-2 in league play.
• The Purple Eagles staff will wear Vineyard Vines ties, Coaches vs. Cancer lapel pins, and sneakers as part of the annual NABC Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Week.
Tipoff Tidbits
•
Marcus Hammond scored a career-high 36 points to lead all scorers at Quinnipiac on January 10. Hammond's 36 points are the most by a Purple Eagle in two seasons and are tied for the most by a MAAC player this season.
•
Marcus Hammond has scored in double figures in five straight games, including a pair of 20-point games (Quinnipiac and Iona).
• The Purple Eagles lead all MAAC teams in turnover margin (3.6), turnovers per game (10.6), and fewest turnovers (173). NU ranks seventh in the nation in fewest turnovers and 10th in turnovers per game.
• NU dished out a season-high 19 assists and had a season-low six turnovers in the win versus Rider on January 17.
• Niagara is 20th in the nation in free throw percentage (.768).
• Niagara is first in the MAAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2) and has had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in 11 straight games.
•
James Towns is 33 points away from reaching the 1,000-point threshold.
•
Justin Roberts is averaging 17 points while shooting over 63 percent from the field and 61 percent from 3-point range in the last two games. Roberts scored a career-high 18 points in the win at Iona on January 12. He led NU in scoring with 16 points against Rider. He made four 3-pointers in both games which are career-highs.
•
Marcus Hammond is second in the MAAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.4).
• Six Purple Eagles - MacDonald, Brown, Solomon, Towns, Hammond, Kratholm - are shooting at least 80 percent at the free-throw line.
• NU is shooting a MAAC-leading 44 percent from 3-point range in conference games.
•
Raheem Solomon recorded his first career double-double with 17 points, which tied a season-high, and grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds at Iona. Solomon joins
Greg Kuakumensah, who has three double-doubles, as the only Purple Eagles with a double-double this season.
On The Court
Siena Saints (7-8, 3-3 MAAC)
• Siena has dropped three of its last four games including a defeat at Canisius on Friday to start its Western New York trip.
• Four Saints are averaging double figures scoring - Jalen Pickett (15.9 ppg), Elijah Burns (14.3 ppg), Donalde Carey (13.2 ppg), and Manny Camper (12.7). The quartet all start. '
• Jalen Pickett leads the MAAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.4).
• Manny Camper is second the MAAC in rebounds per game (11.3 rpg) and leads the league in double-doubles (9).
• Three Saints - Jalen Pickett (player of the week), Elijah Burns (player of the week), and Gary Harris, Jr. (rookie of the week) - have earned MAAC weekly awards this season.
Against The Saints (Siena Leads 53-48)
• Niagara is 2-10 in the last 12 meetings with the Saints.
• The Purple Eagles were swept in last season's season series. Prior to the two defeats, NU had won two of the last three encounters.
• The Purple Eagles and Saints have split the last 16 meetings at the Gallagher Center.
Last Meeting - March 3, 2019
Siena 72, Niagara 65
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles rallied in the final minutes to force overtime, before falling in the extra frame to the Siena Saints, 72-65, in their regular season finale on Sunday afternoon.
| The Series |
Siena Leads, 53-48 |
| Last Game |
March 3, 2019 |
|
Siena 72, Niagara 65 (OT) |
| Last Niagara win |
January 5, 2018 |
|
Niagara 84, Siena 76 |
| Last Siena win |
March 3, 2019 |
|
Siena 72, Niagara 65 (OT) |
| Last Niagara win at Home |
January 4, 2017 |
|
Niagara 71, Siena 66 |
| Last Siena win at Niagara |
March 3, 2019 |
|
Siena 72, Niagara 65 (OT) |
| Current Streak |
Siena W2 |
