The Loyola (MD) Greyhounds take a trip north to square off with the Niagara Purple Eagles. The Greyhounds look for their third straight win after knocking off St Peters 66-54 while the Purple Eagles seek to rebound from a 71-64 defeat at Manhattan.

Loyola (Maryland) has been a surprise team in the MAAC thus far with a 7-2 record that has them in a three way tie for first with Iona and Manhattan. The Greyhounds have outscored opponents 68-65 overall which arent impressive numbers but the defense has been playing far better in conference play which has made everything fall in to place. Having said that, Loyola (MD) is not a team that is so strong at either end of the floor to win on on their scoring or defense alone but need both units on the same page which is what we saw versus St Peters. The Greyhounds game plan is to get enough small advantages in significant categories which should add up to a win and in this case it was rebounding and foul shooting. Both teams made around 42% from the floor but the Grehounds made four more free throws and held a 33-21 edge on the boards including 14 offensive pulls leading to seven more shots. Erik Etherly paced the attack with 19 points and 8 pulls with Robert Olson and Dylon Cormier adding 15 and 10 points respectively.

Niagara is several years removed from when challenging for the top spot in the MAAC was nearly a foregone conclusion. Now the Purple Eagles are trying to work their way back in to the spotlight and it has been a slow, tedious process but it does look like progress is being made. This probably isnt the year Niagara makes a move as they are just 4-5 in the conference in a three way tie for fifth. The scoring is there but the defense is not with the Purple Eagles being outscored 74-71 on the year. Interesting enough, the scoring is up when Niagara has won in the MAAC and way down when they lose which is the trend that continued against Manhattan. With both teams making shots in the 40% range, Niagara stayed competitive with ten makes from long range but Manhattan proved to be a bit too strong on the glass and won the game at the foul line 25-8. Antoine Mason led the Niagara offense with 19 points with Ameen Tanksley and Marvin Jordan chipping in with 12 points each.

Loyola (MD) is in a first place tie in the conference and is a small favorite because Niagara hasnt been bad and have beaten the Greyhounds on the road. Its tough to beat a good team twice in any league but the Purple Eagles have ability…