Niagara Purple Eagles (12-11) vs. Fairfield Stags (15-9)
February 16, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Fairfield Stags -7; Over/Under: 150
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The Niagara Purple Eagles and the Fairfield Stags meet Friday in college basketball action from Leo D. Mahoney Arena. Niagara is 12-11 overall this year after a loss to Iona last week. As for Fairfield, they’re coming off a win over Saint Peter’s that improved the Stags to 15-9 so far. Let’s get into our Niagara vs. Fairfield prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Niagara Purple Eagles
The Eagles got off to a rough start at 3-8 this year but then beat Buffalo, Manhattan, Iona, Fairfield, Rider, Mount St. Mary’s and Marist in the next eight games. Niagara is 2-2 since then with wins over Saint Peter’s and Canisius between losses to Manhattan and Iona.
Last Thursday versus Iona, the Purple Eagles fell behind 39-21 by the break. Niagara fought back with a 50-35 run in the second half but ended up losing 74-71 in the end. Dre Bullock led the way with his 22 points and four rebounds off the bench in 31 minutes of work during the defeat.
Fairfield Stags
Over on the Stags’ side, they got off to a rocky start at just 1-6 overall. Fairfield quickly found their groove however and won 11 of the next 12 games. Fairfield would fall to Quinnipiac and Iona before taking wins over Manhattan, Rider and Saint Peter’s in the next three.
Matched up against the Peacocks last weekend, the Stags had a tight game. Fairfield was down 36-33 going into the second half, then hit a 31-26 run in a 64-62 comeback win. Lead scorers Jalen Leach and Caleb Fields each had 17 points with a combined 10 rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE NIAGARA VS FAIRFIELD PREDICTION
I’ll stick with Fairfield. The Stags need to play a cleaner game than their last outing versus Saint Peter’s, though. Fairfield shot a nice 50 percent from the floor in that one but also coughed up 16 turnovers that led to 15 Peacocks points. The Stags have been scoring fairly well lately though, with 77 or more points in three of the last four games (a 3-1 stretch).
These teams last saw each other back on January 12 in a 96-72 road loss for the Stags. Fairfield gave up a whopping 61.8 percent from the field and 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from 3-point range in that one while getting out-rebounded 33-23 in a rough showing. The Stags certainly have their work cut out for them in this rematch, but I think they’re up for it.
