Wednesday, December 3rd, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Gallagher Center (2,400) -- Niagara, New York. Television: None. Home Record: Akron 3-0, Niagara 2-0. Away Record: Akron 1-1, Niagara 1-1. Neutral Record: Akron 0-1, Niagara 2-0. Conference Record: Akron 0-0, Niagara 0-0. Series Record: Akron leads, 4-3.

GAME NOTES: Non-conference action will take place this evening in upstate New York, when the Niagara Purple Eagles host the Akron Zips at the Gallagher Center. The Zips have performed nicely to start the year, winning four of their first six games. The last time Akron was on the court the team collected a convincing, 85-41 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson. The Zips are 1-1 on the road this season after posting a mediocre 7-6 ledger in true road matchups this past season. As for the Purple Eagles, they have also flown out of the gates this season, winning five of their first six matchups, including four in a row. The last time Niagara was on the hardwood the team pounded Hartford by a 103-63 margin. The Purple Eagles, who were 10-2 at the Gallagher Center this past year, is already 2-0 on their home court in the new campaign. This will be the eighth meeting between Niagara and Akron, with the Zips holding a slim 4-3 edge over the Purple Eagles.

Just like recent seasons, the Zips have used a tenacious defensive approach to find the win column, as the team is limiting the opposition to just 56.2 ppg on a 37.7 percent shooting effort. At the other end of the court Akron is being paced by Brett McKnight, who is averaging 12.3 ppg. However, Nate Linhart has been the best player on the floor thus far, netting 12.2 ppg to go along with 6.0 rpg and 16 assists, both of which are team highs. Akron continued its outstanding defensive play in its recent win over FDU, holding the opponent to just 22.7 shooting and a meager 41 points. At the other end of the floor the team was led by Linhart, who scored 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and four steals. Anthony Hitchens and McKnight both added 12 points apiece in the win.

As for the Purple Eagles they are flying high at the offensive end of the court, averaging 79.2 ppg, while shooting a commendable 43.3 percent from the floor. Tyrone Lewis is only shooting 39.1 percent from the field, but the guard has done everything on the year, netting 17.0 ppg to go along with 4.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, and has also collected 17 steals. Rob Garrison is second on the team with 15.7 ppg, while Bilal Benn comes into this game posting 12.3 ppg to go along with team highs in rebounds (9.3 rpg) and steals (18). The last time Niagara was on the court the team exploded offensively, scoring 103 points in the win over Hartford. The Purple Eagles shot 47.8 percent from the floor, and that included an impressive 17-of-35 clip from long range. Garrison led the way with 19 points and seven assists, while Benn added 18 points to go along with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five steals. Lewis only shot 5-of-17 from the floor, but finished with 14 points, as did Demetrius Williamson, who played just 18 minutes off the bench.

The Zips are a very tough, defensive-minded team, but playing on the road against a high flying team like Niagara could be too much for Akron to handle.

Predicted Outcome

Niagara 72, Akron 65