NIAGARA UNIV. — The Niagara Purple Eagles host the Marist Red Foxes at 7 p.m. Monday as they look to avenge a loss suffered earlier this season.
The Purple Eagles were edged by the Marist Red Foxes, 72-66, in the MAAC opener for both teams back in December. It was a two-point game before a Marist 3-pointer with 19 seconds left put the Red Foxes up by five points. Matt Scott recorded his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Kahlil Dukes led all scorers with 18 points. Niagara shot 96.3 percent (26-for-27) from the free-throw line for its second highest percentage in program history. NU also had 52 rebounds in meeting for its most since the 2008-09 season. Eight of the last nine meetings have been decided by less than six points with NU winning five of those eight games. Niagara has won eight of the last nine meetings at the Gallagher Center, including defeating the Red Foxes, 76-72, last season.
Niagara made 15 3-pointers against Monmouth on January 14. The 15 3-pointers are the most since draining 16 3-pointers at Oregon State to open the 2012-13 season. The 15 3-pointers are tied for third most in program history and are tied for the second most in the MAAC this season. Kahlil Dukes leads the MAAC and is SIXTH in the nation in free-throw percentage (.929). Dominic Robb leads the MAAC and is 23rd in the nation with 2.44 blocks per game while also leading the MAAC and is 20th in the nation in total blocks (44). Marvin Prochet is fourth in the MAAC in blocks per game (1.44) and has tied his freshman total of 25.
In the last five games, Dominic Robb is averaging 12.2 points per game, including scoring in double figures in each game, while shooting over 43 percent from the field. Robb is bringing down 7.2 rebounds per game and averaging 2.4 blocks per game during this stretch. Robb has notched consecutive double-doubles with 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds at Manhattan, followed by 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds versus Monmouth. Niagara leads the MAAC in blocked shots per game (5.1), total blocks (90), and 3-point field goal percentage (.386) and is second in free throw shooting percentage (.751).
Since defeating Niagara on December 2, the Red Foxes have lost nine of their next 10 games, including three straight, entering Monday’s game. Three Red Foxes are averaging in double figures – Khallid Hart (16.6 ppg), Brian Parker (12.8 ppg) and Ryan Funk (12.3 ppg). Ryan Funk is second in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.407) and 3-pointers per game (2.9). Khallid Hart is second in the MAAC in minutes per game (35:46).
Niagara has won 12 of the last 19 meetings in the series, but had its two-game win streak in the series snapped in December. Niagara is 16-3 all-time at home in the series, including winning eight of the last nine meetings at the Gallagher Center. There has been season sweeps in the last two seasons; Niagara swept last season’s series and Marist won both meetings during the 2014-15 season.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
