Niagara visits Monmouth following Papas' 22-point game

Published Jan. 30, 2022 2:02 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Niagara Purple Eagles (8-11, 3-7 MAAC) at Monmouth Hawks (13-6, 5-3 MAAC)

West Long Branch, New Jersey; Sunday, 2 p.m. EST

LINE: Monmouth -10.5; over/under is 129.5

BOTTOM LINE: Monmouth faces the Niagara Purple Eagles after George Papas scored 22 points in Monmouth's 72-67 victory against the Canisius Golden Griffins.

The Hawks are 5-2 on their home court. Monmouth has a 2-2 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Purple Eagles are 3-7 against conference opponents. Niagara is second in the MAAC giving up 65.7 points while holding opponents to 41.7% shooting.

The teams play for the second time this season in MAAC play. The Hawks won the last meeting 57-49 on Dec. 4. Papas scored 14 points points to help lead the Hawks to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Papas is shooting 42.6% and averaging 15.9 points for the Hawks. Shavar Reynolds is averaging 0.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Monmouth.

Noah Thomasson is averaging 9.5 points and 3.5 assists for the Purple Eagles. Marcus Hammond is averaging 16.9 points over the last 10 games for Niagara.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 6-4, averaging 67.9 points, 32.7 rebounds, 12.2 assists, 5.5 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 41.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.9 points per game.

Purple Eagles: 5-5, averaging 65.4 points, 28.9 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 5.9 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 43.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.4 points.

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