Preview of Tuesday’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Game

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two Western New York rivals seeking to halt prolonged slides will meet Tuesday when the Niagara Purple Eagles visit the Canisius Golden Griffins in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game at Koessler Athletic Center.

Both teams enter on significant losing streaks. Niagara (0-21, 0-10 MAAC) is one of two remaining winless teams in Division I. The Purple Eagles have lost 12 consecutive games since a narrow non-conference defeat to Saint Peter’s on Dec. 21. Canisius (3-18, 2-8) has dropped eight straight, though its most recent was a narrow 65-69 overtime road loss at Siena on Saturday.

The Golden Griffins won the first meeting this season, 57-41 at Niagara on Jan. 14. In that game, Canisius held the Purple Eagles to 23.2% shooting from the field.

A key matchup will feature each team’s top recent scorer. Niagara guard Chasity Wilson is coming off a season-high 21-point performance in a loss at Marist on Jan. 31. Over her last five games, Wilson is averaging 10.0 points per contest. For Canisius, forward Franka Wittenberg has been a consistent force, averaging 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds over her last six games. She scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds in the overtime loss to Siena.

Niagara’s struggles are multifaceted, ranking near the bottom of the MAAC in both scoring offense and defense. Canisius has shown slightly more offensive rhythm but has been plagued by turnovers, averaging over 18 per game in conference play.

The Purple Eagles will look to break through for their first win behind Wilson and forward Katarina Veljovic, who had eight points and five rebounds against Marist. Canisius will rely on Wittenberg and center Yasmine Djibril, who is averaging a double-double in MAAC games (10.0 points, 10.1 rebounds).

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. Canisius will host Quinnipiac on Thursday, while Niagara’s next game is at home against Quinnipiac on Saturday.