NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State returns to Joseph Echols Hall for its only home game in the month of December, and the only one in a month and a half span. The Spartan men's basketball team returns from the Thanksgiving break to host Niagara on Sunday at 4 p.m.

NSU is in the midst of an 11-game stretch in which it plays 10 of those away from Echols Hall. The Spartans are looking to end a four-game losing streak.

Media Coverage
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Series History
The Purple Eagles have won all four meetings with the Spartans, including once each of the last three seasons. All three of those losses have been by eight points or less. Niagara also won the first ever meeting in December of 2009 in the Sun Bowl Invitational.

Scouting Niagara University
The Purple Eagles have dropped all five of their games this year, although three were by 11 points or less. But Niagara has scored just 60 points per game while giving up 79. Opponents have hit 49 percent from the field, 34 percent from deep.

James Towns averages 13.8 points per game to lead the Purple Eagles. Raheem Solomon is second at 11.8, while Marcus Hammond contributes 9.2 points as well. Niagara has been hurt on the glass, holding a -12.2 rebound margin so far this year.

Last Time Out
The Spartans led just once, but they never trailed by more than 10 in falling 75-71 to Monmouth on Wednesday night at OceanFirst Bank Center. Part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off Tournament, the Spartans got to within one possession several times in the second half but could not complete the comeback from down five at the half.

NSU lost despite finishing +20 on the glass, including 17-4 on the offensive glass. The Spartans outscored the Hawks 15-2 in second-chance points and 36-24 in points in the paint. They did, however, commit a season-high 22 turnovers while allowing Monmouth to shoot 48 percent from the field.

Three players scored in double figures for the Spartans, led by Joe Bryant Jr.'s 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting with five rebounds. Jermaine Bishop added 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting with six rebounds, and Steven Whitley totaled 13 points (6-of-14 shooting) with seven assists and six boards. For Monmouth, Deion Hammond scored 24 points with six rebounds.

National Rankings
On a national level, Norfolk State stands 28th in 3-point field goal % defense (26.7), 34th in steals (9.5), 42nd in turnovers forced (17.50), 66th in turnover margin (+3.1), 70th in offensive rebounds (12.38), 77th in field goal % defense (38.8), 81st in scoring margin (+11.3), 91st in rebounds (39.13), and 94th in scoring defense (64.0).

Player Facts
Steven Whitley
 • Ranks 6th all-time at NSU in assist average (4.23) and 11th in assists (317)
 • Ranks No. 177 in the nation in steals (1.75) and No. 234 (3.5)
 • In NCAA D-I active career leaders, ranks No. 29th in steals (142), 38th in assists (354), No. 85 in games played (106) and No. 122 in rebounds (458)

Jermaine Bishop
 • Stands No. 71 in the nation in 3-point field goal % (42.3), and No. 77 in 3-point field goals (2.75)

Joe Bryant Jr.
 • Stands No. 177 in the nation in steals (1.75)
 • Played in career high 33 minutes at Monmouth with 19 points, tying career high by hitting 6-of-6 from the free throw line

Devante Carter
 • Stands 43rd in the nation in steals (2.38), and No. 198 in double-doubles (1)
 • Tied career high with 7 rebounds vs. Caldwell

Yoro Sidibe
 • Stands No. 140 in the nation in offensive rebounds (2.71) and No. 198 in double-doubles (1)

Chris Ford
 • Stands No. 140 in the nation in blocks (1.38)
 • Tied career high with 6 rebounds at Monmouth