Canisius stays hot, beats Niagara in Battle of Bridge

[le]

Draft Kings has NU getting 2.5 points vs the Griffs who have won four of their last five games. A must win for the Purps if they expect to secure a bye in the Tourney. Although Manhattan, slumping Siena and QU could all lose today resulting in a 5 seed for NU.

CBS Sports:

Niagara @ Canisius

Current Records: Niagara 15-13; Canisius 9-19

What to Know
The Canisius Golden Griffins haven't won a game against the Niagara Purple Eagles since March 6 of 2020, but they'll be looking to end the drought Saturday. The Golden Griffins will stay at home another game and welcome Niagara at 3:30 p.m. ET March 4 at Koessler Athletic Center. Canisius is out to keep their three-game home win streak alive.

Canisius had enough points to win and then some against the Fairfield Stags on Sunday, taking their matchup 64-51.

Meanwhile, Niagara was just a bucket short of a win on Sunday and fell 66-65 to the St. Peter's Peacocks.

Barring any buzzer beaters, Canisius is expected to win a tight contest. They are currently five-for-five against the spread in their most recent games, a trend bettors might want to take into account.

The Golden Griffins are now 9-19 while the Purple Eagles sit at 15-13. A pair of offensive numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: Canisius has only been able to knock down 42.20% percent of their shots, which is the 47th lowest field goal percentage in college basketball. Niagara has experienced some struggles of their own as they are 14th worst in college basketball in points per game, with only 64.9 on average. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.

[phillyeagle]

Are the clocks for a 3;30 start slow in Buffalo?

[NewEnglander]

Pressure is off. Siena won and will be seeded 3rd. Manhattan lost and will be seeded 6th. Niagara will play Quinnipiac with the only decision as to who will be the home team in the 4 vs. 5 game. Winner advances to play winner of Iona vs. 8/9 game. See correction later: St. Peters won in OT. Pressure is back on as a win could help them avoid Iona.

[jhart]

Slow start for NU , 27-15 with 6 left in half.

[NUEagle]

What is going on with Joe K. of late? Just playing out of control (2 steps too fast), resulting in turnover after turnover. Not good for the Eagles entering March Madness.

[NewEnglander]

Correction: St. Peters got a buzzer beater 3 pointer at the end of regulation to put the game to OT. St. Peters won in OT. 3rd place is still open but only if both Niagara and Quinnipiac win. They have at least secured the bye as Manhattan takes 6th.

[NUEagle]

Niagara's O is putrid at best. (The antithesis of JAM's teams.) I've seen CYO teams shoot better. Looking like NU will be limping into the postseason losing 4 of its last 5.

[le]

Yup the pressure is off with the Jasper loss, but we need to play better in the second half pit a positive spin heading into the MAAC.

[phillyeagle]

Absolutely no offensive flow. If Kasper does not hit his first shot, take him out. He plays out of control too many times. Disappointed in No development of plays feeding Obioha down low. The coach certainly gets some blame for this helter skelter play.

[NUEagle]

33% from the field in the 1st, going 0-7 from 3. Yikes!