GAME NOTES: The surging Niagara Purple Eagles fly into Buffalo for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference clash with the lowly Canisius Golden Griffins. Niagara has won seven of its last eight games to improve to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in MAAC play. The Purple Eagles were most recently in action on Sunday when they posted an 80-63 decision over Manhattan. As for Canisius, it is still in search of its first league victory, as the team is 2-14 overall and 0-6 against MAAC opposition. The Golden Griffs have lost their last four outings, including a 72-44 setback to Siena on Sunday. The 44 points scored in that tilt marked the team's second-lowest offensive output of the campaign. Niagara holds a 91-72 series lead over Canisius, including wins in both meetings a year ago.

Niagara's Charron Fisher is in position to challenge for the national scoring title this season, as he is averaging 27.9 ppg to go along with 9.3 rpg. Unfortunately, Fisher is shooting only 39.4 percent from the floor. Tyrone Lewis provides 14.5 ppg to the lineup for the Purple Eagles, and Stanley Hodge is netting 12.6 ppg. Niagara is posting 77.5 ppg as a team, and those three players are responsible for 55.0 ppg. In the win over Manhattan on Sunday, Fisher exploded for 32 points in 39 minutes of action. Benson Egemonye added 18 points and eight rebounds while shooting 8-of-9 from the floor. The Purple Eagles knocked down 20-of-21 free throws and earned a 45-31 rebounding advantage, two obvious keys to victory.

Frank Turner is the only double-digit scorer for Canisius, as he is netting 11.6 ppg to go with 76 assists. The Golden Griffins are only posting 59.6 ppg on 39.4 percent shooting from the field, and they are surrendering 74.8 ppg to their opponents. In the embarrassing loss to Siena on Sunday, Turner scored 12 of his team's 44 total points. Canisius was limited to 39.1 percent shooting from the floor, including 2-of-8 from three-point range, and the club scored a mere six points from the foul line. Also, the Griffs managed only nine assists and turned the ball over 23 times. A 45-29 rebounding disadvantage certainly didn't help matters.

Regardless of the location of this game, Niagara is clearly the favorite and will roll to victory. Expect Fisher to continue his scoring onslaught, even if his shot selection isn't always the best.