KENT, Ohio — The Niagara Purple Eagles conclude their four-game road trip with a midweek matchup with the Kent State Golden Flashes on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Niagara is in the midst of a four-game road swing which started with a defeat at North Texas on November 25. Seven of Niagara’s first nine games are on the road. The Purple Eagles step back into their slate of non-conference games after splitting their MAAC opening weekend. After falling at Marist on December 2, NU convincingly defeated defending MAAC champion Iona, 74-58, on December 4. Niagara and Kent State are both tied for 58th and 61st, respectively, in the nation in total blocks (38) and blocks per game (4.8). This will be Niagara’s second meeting with a MAC opponent this season. NU opened the season hosting Big 4 rival Buffalo.
The Purple Eagles snapped a few streaks in their 74-58 win over defending MAAC champion Iona on December 4. NU halted a seven-game losing streak to the Gaels while also picking up its first win at Iona since 2009. NU also collected its first road win in 11 attempts. Matt Scott recorded his seventh double-double, and first of the season, with 15 points and a team-high 10 rebounds at Marist on December 2. Kahlil Dukes is the only Purple Eagle to score in double figures in every game, including a career-high 23 points at North Texas. Dominic Robb leads the MAAC and is 26th in the nation with 2.5 blocks per game while also leading the MAAC and is 22nd in the nation in total blocks (20). Robb has had at least on block in each game, including a streak of at least two blocks through the first seven games. Niagara has outrebounded its opponents 96-67 (+29) in the last two games, including grabbing 52 rebounds at Marist for the program most in eight seasons.
Niagara leads the all-time series, 7-3, in a series that started during the 1955-56 season. The Purple Eagles and Golden Flashes most recent meeting was in November 2013 as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Prior to that meeting, the teams haven’t played since 1993.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
