BUFFALO — The Niagara University men’s basketball team heads to the Koessler Athletic Center at 8 p.m. Friday to take on the Canisius Golden Griffins.
Niagara versus Canisius is the longest current rivalry in the MAAC. Niagara has played Canisius more than any other program in a series that started during Niagara’s inaugural season in the 1905-06. The Purple Eagles are 20-10 in the last 30 meetings, including defeating the Golden Griffins in the first meeting this season on January 23 at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles led wire-to-wire, including four scorers in double figures, en route to a 91-84 victory for their first home win in the series February 2012. NU is in search of its first season sweep since the 2011-12 season, and is in search of its first win at Canisius since February 2015 when the Purple Eagles used a season half surge to top Canisius, 82-71. NU shot 78.9 percent from field in the second half to set a Koessler Athletic Center record. The teams have split the last 10 meetings at the KAC.
Kahlil Dukes is SIXTH in the nation in free-throw percentage (.928). Dukes, who has had streaks of 20 and 17 consecutive made free throws, had a career-high 12 free throws at Quinnipiac on February 4. Dominic Robb leads the MAAC and is 14th in the nation in blocks per game (2.6) and is first in the MAAC and TENTH in the nation in total blocks (65). Robb, who is fourth on the single-season blocks list, is one block away from tying the sophomore record and seven blocks away from tying the single-season record. Dominic Robb had a game-high six blocks at Fairfield to join Joe Arlauckas (1984-85) as the only Purple Eagle to have multiple six-plus blocks games. Robb had a career-high seven blocks against LIU Brooklyn on December 21. Kahlil Dukes has had at least four assists in eight straight games, including tying a career-high nine assists against Canisius. Kahlil Dukes led all scorers with a career-high 29 points and Matt Scott scored 20 points for his team-leading 11th 20-point game against Quinnipiac on February 4. Scott’s 11 20-point games are third in the MAAC. 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. Matt Scott recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points while leading the game with 11 rebounds in the win versus Rider on January 28. His 10 career double-doubles are fourth most in the program since the 2006-07 season. Niagara leads the MAAC and is 23rd in the nation in blocked shots per game (5.3) and leads the MAAC and is 16th in the nation in total blocks (132).
Since losing to Niagara on Jan. 23, Canisius has won three of its last four games, including back-to-back road victories at Siena and Saint Peter’s. Four Golden Griffins are averaging double figures – junior guard Kassius Robertson (17.4 ppg), junior forward Jermaine Crumpton (16.6 ppg), senior forward Phil Valenti (13.5 ppg) and senior guard Kiefer Douse (10.3 ppg). Kassius Robertson leads the conference in 3-point field goals made per game (3.1) and is sixth in the MAAC in field goal percentage (.417) Canisius leads the MAAC in field goal percentage (.462), assists per game (18.0) and assists/turnover ratio (1.37).
Niagara and Canisius have been split as of late when it comes to contests at the Koessler Athletic Center, as each team has won five of the last 10 meetings at Canisius. The Purple Eagles are 10-6 in their last 16 games at Canisius, including winning three of the last five trips.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
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