The Marist Red Foxes (19-5, 12-3 MAAC) prepare to defend their home court against the Niagara Purple Eagles (10-16, 5-10 MAAC) this Sunday in Poughkeepsie, New York, fresh off Josh Pascarelli’s electrifying 31-point performance against Canisius. With MAAC tournament seeding on the line, this matchup promises high stakes and intense action.
Marist boasts a dominant 10-2 home record this season, ranking seventh in the conference with 68.6 points per game. Their 46.3% field goal accuracy narrowly edges Niagara’s defensive average (46.0%), setting the stage for a clash of precision versus resistance. The Purple Eagles, struggling in conference play, allow 71.3 points per game but counter with their own offensive average of 68.2 points – 3.6 more than Marist typically concedes.
Betting Line: Marist enters as 8.5-point favorites with an over/under of 129.5 (via BetMGM Sportsbook).
Key Players to Watch:
- Marist’s Josh Pascarelli (16.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG) and Elijah Lewis (10.7 PPG last 10 games)
- Niagara’s Olumide Adelodun (10.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and Jaeden Marshall (11.2 PPG last 10 games)
Recent trends favor the Red Foxes, who’ve gone 7-3 in their last 10 games while holding opponents to 63.3 points. Niagara’s 3-7 stretch during the same period includes defensive struggles, allowing 73.5 points per contest. With both teams shooting nearly identical percentages from the field (Marist 45.6% vs Niagara 46.5% last 10 games), rebounding and turnovers could decide this critical conference battle.