The Niagara Purple Eagles conclude their home schedule with a key clash with the Iona Gaels on Saturday, February 29 at 1 p.m.
Scene Setter
• Niagara began its final home weekend with a 63-54 win over the Saint Peter's Peacocks, who entered the game on a five-game win streak and in a tie for first place, February 27.
• Niagara allowed a season-low 54 points and tied a season-low in opponent field goal percentage (.362) in the win.
• Niagara is 7-2 in league games at the Gallagher Center, including winning six of its last seven. Niagara's 7-2 MAAC home record is its best since going 8-1 during the 2008-09 season.
• NU is 4-0 at home in the month of February which is its best home mark in February since 2012 (3-0).
• The Purple Eagles have won three of the last four meetings with the Gaels, including a 70-69 win at Iona on January 12; NU made a season-high 15 3-pointers, which are tied for third most in program history, and shot a season-best 57.7 percent from the 3-point line.
• The Purple Eagles are in search of a season sweep for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
• Niagara is 3-3 all-time playing on February 29 and this will be the first time NU will play on this date since 2008.
Tipoff Tidbits
•
Marcus Hammond leads the Purple Eagles in scoring with a career-high 14.1 points per game and is averaging 16.4 points in league games which ranks second. He has scored in double figures a team-high 17 times.
• The Purple Eagles lead the MAAC in turnover margin (3.6), turnovers per game (10.5), and fewest turnovers (295). NU ranks 11th in turnovers per game, 14th in the nation in fewest turnovers, and 18th in turnover margin.
• Niagara is first in the MAAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.13) and had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in 12 straight games from December 1 to January 19.
• Three Purple Eagles are scoring in double figures in home games this season –
Marcus Hammond (14.8 ppg),
James Towns (12.2 ppg), and
Greg Kuakumensah (10.5 ppg).
•
Marcus Hammond is averaging 19.5 points in the last four games, including a trio of 20-point games performances. He has eight 20-point games which are third most in the league.
•
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.
• NU leads the conference in overall 3-point field goal percentage (.361) and is shooting a MAAC-leading 39.4 percent from 3-point range in conference games.
• The Purple Eagles forced a season-high 20 turnovers and tied season-highs in field goals made (33) and in steals (13) against Quinnipiac on February 2. Niagara's three turnovers are the fewest since February 8, 2015 (Quinnipiac).
On The Court
Iona Gaels (11-13, 9-8 MAAC)
• The Gaels have won six of their last seven contests entering Saturday's game.
• Five Gaels are averaging double figures scoring - E.J. Crawford (18.5 ppg), Tajuan Agee (14.3 ppg), Isaiah Ross (11.2 ppg), Isaiah Washington (10.8 ppg), and Asante Gist (10.1 ppg).
• Iona leads the MAAC in free throw percentage (.759) and is second in 3-pointers per game (8.0).
• Isaiah Washington recorded the program's third-ever triple double (14 points-10 rebounds-10 assists) in a win at Canisius on February 12.
• Isaiah Ross leads the MAAC in 3-pointers per game (2.9) in conference games.
Against The Gaels (Iona Leads 48-38)
• Niagara has won three of the last four meetings at Iona which is the program's best run since winning three out of four at Iona from 2005-09.
• The Purple Eagles are 20-18 at home including a 95-90 win last season.
• Niagara is looking to sweep the series for the first time since the 2007-08 season and is looking to win consecutive home meetings for the first time since 2007 and 2008.
Last Meeting - January 12, 2020
Niagara 70, Iona 69
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Purple Eagles outlasted preseason favorites and four-time defending MAAC Champions Iona, 70-69, in a thrilling contest on Sunday afternoon to even their conference record.
| The Series |
Iona Leads 48-38 |
| Last Game |
January 12, 2020 |
|
Niagara 70, Iona 69 |
| Last Niagara win |
January 12, 2020 |
|
Niagara 70, Iona 69 |
| Last Iona win |
February 10, 2019 |
|
Iona 79, Niagara 76 |
| Last Niagara win at Home |
January 11, 2019 |
|
Niagara 95, Iona 90 |
| Last Iona win at Niagara |
December 29, 2017 |
|
Iona 98, Niagara 93 (OT) |
| Current streak |
Niagara W1 |
