GAME NOTES: Meeting for the second time already this season, the Manhattan Jaspers and the Niagara Purple Eagles clash in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Gallagher Center this afternoon. On Friday night, the Jaspers managed to break their three-game losing streak with a 69-65 win over Canisius on the road. The victory was the second in five MAAC attempts so far this season as Manhattan shoots for back-to-back victories for just the fourth time this year. As for the Purple Eagles, they too had a streak come to an end two nights ago when Siena recorded a 94-84 win in New York. The setback snapped a six-game win streak for Niagara, a team which has yet to lose two games in a row this season. These two squads battled at Draddy Gym just eight days ago, with Niagara grabbing a 96-86 victory, the team's third in a row over Manhattan. However, the Jaspers are still in complete control of the all- time series with a mark of 42-22 over the years versus the Purple Eagles.

Rashad Green registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, not to mention five assists and three steals, as the Jaspers slipped by Canisius a couple nights ago at the Koessler Center. Darryl Crawford led Manhattan with his 14 points off the bench, followed by Devon Austin and Chris Smith with 11 points apiece in the victory as well. Although he didn't show up as a double- digit scorer on Friday night, Antoine Pearson is still one of the more reliable producers for the group with his 12.3 ppg and a team-high 37 assists as well. Austin, although just a 38.8 percent shooter from the field and 28 percent beyond the arc, adds 10.2 ppg for the Jaspers, although his lack of passing ability (eight assists) has to be a major concern for someone who handles the ball as much as he does these days.

The nation's leading scorer coming into this week, Charron Fisher demonstrated once again what makes him such a special player as he dropped a team-high 31 points in the loss to Siena on Friday night. Also having a strong game for the Purple Eagles was Benson Egemonye who recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards, followed by Anthony Nelson and Stanley Hodge with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Playing more than 37 minutes per game for Niagara, Fisher is posting a staggering 27.6 ppg at the moment and is also first on the team with his 9.4 rpg as well. However, shooting only 39.1 percent from the field while playing so close to the basket has to be a concern for Fisher and his mates. Lewis is in for 15.1 ppg and Hodge another 13.2 ppg as the starters for the unit account for all but about eight of the team's 77.3 ppg.

Manhattan used to be the jewel of the MAAC, but these days the Jaspers are just another one of the many average teams in the conference. As long as Niagara has Fisher to turn to the squad is going to be tough to beat, especially at home.