Niagara and Canisius Meet in "Battle of the Bridge" on ESPN3 to Open MAAC Broadcast Schedule
MAAC Sports
EDISON, N.J. – All 11 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball programs will take the court in league play this week, highlighted by Saturday’s 3:00p.m. “Battle of the Bridge” rivalry matchup between Niagara and Canisius on ESPN3 to open up the MAAC basketball television schedule.
The first conference game of the season took place on Nov. 20 when Niagara faced Saint Peter’s at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City, N.J. The Purple Eagles, which were picked to finish last in the coaches’ preseason poll, defeated the Peacocks, which were selected fourth in the poll, 61-59.
Conference play begins for Canisius on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:00p.m. when the Griffs travel to New Jersey to face Saint Peter’s. The Griffs currently hold a 2-3 record and have dropped the last three contest after starting the season off 2-0. The Peacocks hold a 2-5 overall record, but have won two of their last three games with the only lost coming at the final buzzer on a failed shot attempt against Norfolk State.
On Thursday at 7:00p.m., Marist and new head coach Mark Maker, hosts Monmouth with both teams opening up MAAC play in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. at McCann Arena. The Red Foxes sit at 1-5 overall earning the first win of the season on Nov. 26 against Fresno State. The Hawks began its 2014 campaign 2-1 but have since dropped their last three games and currently stand at 2-4.
Friday’s schedule features two conference games both at 7:00p.m. Two preseason top five teams in Siena (second) and Quinnipiac (fifth) will meet in Albany, N.Y. at the Times Union Center. The Saint’s sit at 2-3 thus far in the young season and only lost its previous contest by two points having a shot blocked and the buzzer against Fordham. Quinnipiac is 3-2 and one of two MAAC teams that currently own a winning record. Of the Bobcats two losses, both came by a combined score of six points, losing to La Salle by two and Hartford by four. Defending MAAC champions Manhattan opens up its title defense on the road against Fairfield at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. The Jaspers hold a 1-4 record after tough non-conference losses at Florida State, in overtime at UMass, and at George Mason off a 75-foot buzzer beating heave. The Stags own a 2-5 record and have dropped its last two contest after earning an 80-72 victory over South Dakota.
Saturday’s lone league contest is the highlight game of the week for the MAAC opening up the 2014-15 ESPN broadcast schedule. Niagara will host “Battle of the Bridge” and cross-town rival Canisius at 3:00p.m. on ESPN3 while also officially unveiling the naming of the Gallagher Center court after Frank and Barbara Layden. The Purple Eagles lone win of the season is against Saint Peter’s as they hold a 1-4 overall record and 1-0 league mark.
Sunday features a full slate of conference action, with four contest on schedule. First at 1:00p.m., Connecticut rivals Quinnipiac and Fairfield will meet at TD Bank Sports Center. At 2:00p.m., Marist travels to Draddy Gymnasium in New York to take on Manhattan, while Siena heads to Alumni Gymnasium in New Jersey to face Rider in the Broncs first league game. The Broncs are currently 2-5 and dropped its last four games in a tough Orlando Classic tournament after beginning the season 2-1. The final matchup of the day puts preseason favorite Iona at Monmouth at 4:30p.m. The Gaels are currently in first place of the MAAC with a 4-2 record, picking up its first ever true road win against an ACC opponent in Wake Forest and only dropping contest to Wofford in the ESPN Tip-Off Marathon and at No. 25 Arkansas.
The 2015 season culminates at the 2015 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York March 5-9. Tickets for the championships are available online at ticketmaster.com.
For the full men’s basketball schedule, visits maacsports.com and remember to follow the conversation on twitter using #MAACHoops and #MAACHoops15.