NIAGARA UNIV. — The Niagara Purple Eagles men’s basketball team will welcome the Manhattan Jaspers to Gallagher Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, continuing their three-game homestand.
The Purple Eagles have won consecutive games for the first time since January 2016 and are in search of their longest win streak since reeling off four straight wins to wrap up the 2014-15 regular season. The Purple Eagles and Jaspers met on January 10. Manhattan erased an 11-point second half Niagara lead to pull out a 78-69 win. Matt Scott shared game-high honors with 21 points and Dominic Robb registered his second career double-double with 15 points and game-high 10 rebounds. Matt Scott has averaged 16 points in five career meetings with Manhattan, including three 20-point games. Niagara and Manhattan have split the series in the last two seasons with both teams protecting their home court. The Purple Eagles are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at the Gallagher Center.
Niagara is coming off of a resounding victory over archrivals Canisius on January 23. The Purple Eagles, who never trailed, led as much as 18 points en route to a 91-84 win. Niagara scored 51 first half points against Canisius on January 23 which is its highest first half point total since scoring 51 against Marist on January 3, 2013. The Purple Eagles shot 53.2 percent (33-for-62) from the field for the team’s second highest field goal percentage this season. Three of Niagara’s four MAAC wins have come against teams in the top four of the standings, including preseason No. 2 (Iona) and No. 3 (Siena). Kahlil Dukes leads the MAAC and is FOURTH in the nation in free-throw percentage (.934). Dominic Robb leads the MAAC and is 21st in the nation in blocks per game (2.43) and total blocks (51). Robb has had at least three blocks in five of his last seven games. 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. Matt Scott recorded his third double-double of the season with 18 points while leading the game with a season-high 12 rebounds in the win versus Canisius on January 23. His nine career double-doubles are fourth most in program history since the 2006-07 season. Niagara leads the MAAC in blocked shots per game (5.2), total blocks (109), and 3-point field goal percentage (.389).
The Jaspers enter Thursday’s game on a three-game losing streak with defeats to Iona, Monmouth and Siena. Two Jaspers are averaging in double figures scoring – Zavier Turner (16.3 ppg) and Zane Waterman (14.1 ppg). Zavier Turner is second in the MAAC and 22nd in the nation in free-throw percentage (.897). Zane Waterman leads the Jaspers with 7.0 rebounds per game and has had at least five rebounds in 20 of his 21 starts this season. Manhattan ranks second in the MAAC in rebounding defense, averaging 34.9 defensive rebounds per game. The Jaspers are 5-0 this season when holding opponents to under 70 points and have trailed at halftime in each of their last five victories.
Niagara trails in the all-time series, but has won 15 of the last 24 meetings. The Purple Eagles are 8-2 in their last 10 home meetings versus Manhattan, including winning two straight. The home team has won the last five meetings in the series. The programs alternated season sweeps from 2011-14. The Purple Eagles swept the series during the 2012-13 season, winning both games by four points, while Manhattan swept in 2011-12 and 2013-14.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
