Monmouth Hawks (14-10, 8-5 MAAC) at Niagara Purple Eagles (8-16, 6-7 MAAC)
Sunday, February 16, 2020 - 1:00 p.m. EST
Taps Gallagher Center, Lewiston, NY

TV
ESPN3/Watch ESPN
Play-by-Play: Todd Callen
Analyst: Richard Walsh

RADIO
Shore Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Eddy Occhipinti
Analyst: Steve Bazaz

SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara is led by Marcus Hammonds 13.2 points per game, with James Towns and Raheem Solomon also scoring in double figures. The Purple Eagles have dropped five of seven, but won the last time out over Canisius. 

NIAGARA HEAD COACH GREG PAULUS
Greg Paulus took over the Niagara program before the season started, and has eight wins to his credit in his rookie season. Paulus starred for Duke from 2005-09 and completed his grad year at Syracuse, where he played quarterback. Paulus also has had assistant coaching stops at George Washington, Louisville and Ohio State.

MONMOUTH ON THE ROAD
The Hawks are 5-8 away from home this season, and are coming off a road victory at Canisius.

NIAGARA AT HOME
Niagara is 6-3 at the Gallagher Center this season, and an impressing 5-2 in home MAAC games.

SERIES NOTES 
-Monmouth snapped a three-game Niagara win streak in the series with a win in the 2019 MAAC Tournament opening round.
-MU won the first nine games as a conference foe.
-Monmouth is 2-0 vs. Niagara in MAAC Tournaments.
-The Hawks topped the Purple Eagles earlier this season.

PAPAS GOES CRAZY
George Papas netted a career-high 32 points in Monmouth's win over Canisius, knocking home a career best seven threes. He is the 50th player in MU history to score 30+ points in a game, and just the 11th to hit seven triples in a contest. His eight made field goals and nine converted free throws were both career highs, with five of his threes coming in the second half. It marked the second game in a row MU had a 30+ point scorer (Hammond vs. SPU). 

HUGE SECOND HALF
Monmouth scored a season high for points in a half with 55 in the second at Canisius. The Hawks converted on 61.3% from the field and 50% from deep, with Papas hitting five threes for 20 second-half points. MU outrebounded the Griffs 17-14 in the period, and were 16-2 winners in points off turnovers in the second.