NIAGARA UNIV. — The Niagara Purple Eagles step back into MAAC action to begin 2017 on Monday as they host the Quinnipiac Bobcats at 7 p.m.
Niagara split its MAAC opening weekend in December. After losing a close contest at Marist, the Purple Eagles handed defending MAAC champion Iona a rare home defeat for the Purple Eagles’ first win in the series since January 2013. The Purple Eagles are 18-9 in their first home MAAC game including defeating Quinnipiac, 76-72, in last season’s conference opener at the Gallagher Center. Niagara is 3-3 in its last six games, including defeating LIU Brooklyn 75-66 in its most recent game to conclude 2016. The Purple Eagles are looking for consecutive wins for first time since January 2016 when they defeated Saint Peter’s and Manhattan. Niagara and Quinnipiac have split the last four meetings with each team protecting its home court. Ten of Niagara’s 13 games have been away from the Gallagher Center. Niagara is 2-1 inside of the Gallagher Center with victories over Drexel and Norfolk State.
Two Purple Eagles rank in the MAAC top-10 in scoring; Matt Scott is tied for sixth with 16.8 points per game and Kahlil Dukes is ninth with 15.8 points per game. Kahlil Dukes leads the MAAC and is THIRD in the nation in free-throw percentage (.952). Dominic Robb leads the MAAC and is 24th in the nation with 2.46 blocks per game while also leading the MAAC and is 26th in the nation in total blocks (32). Matt Scott leads Niagara in scoring (16.8 ppg), rebounds (6.8 rpg), assists (3.2 apg) and steals (1.2 spg). Kahlil Dukes had his streak of scoring in double figures snapped in Niagara’s last game. Dukes was the only Purple Eagle to score in double figures in every game, including a career-high 23 points at North Texas. Chris Barton has scored at least eight points in the last five games while shooting over 57 percent from the field, 85 percent from 3’s and 87 percent from the free-throw line. Barton shared team-high honors in scoring with 14 points and grabbed a career-high seven rebounds at LIU Brooklyn. Niagara leads the MAAC in blocked shots per game (5.0), total blocks (65), free throws made (218), and is second in free throw shooting (.754) and rebounds (500).
The Bobcats have lost three of their last four games, including two straight. Quinnipiac split its MAAC opening weekend in December with a win over Marist after falling to preseason favorite Monmouth in its MAAC opener. Three Bobcats are averaging double figures – freshman guard Mikey Dixon (14.6 ppg), junior forward Chaise Daniels (11.8 ppg) and freshman guard Peter Kiss (10.3 ppg). Quinnipiac leads the MAAC in offensive rebounding (13.8 per game) and is second in rebounding margin (+2.7)
Niagara and Quinnipiac each faced Marist, Hartford, Drexel and Brown. Quinnipiac defeated Marist and Hartford while losing to Drexel and Brown.
After dropping the first five meetings, Niagara has split the last four encounters with both wins coming at home. NU earned its first win in the series with a double overtime victory on February 1, 2015 and won its second in the conference opener in December 2015.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
