NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara University men's basketball head coach Chris Casey has tabbed Emile Blackman and Karonn Davis as captains for the 2015-16 season.

"We are very proud of Karonn and Emile as they have grown and matured into team leaders, both vocally and by example," Casey said. "They have been chosen as team captains by their peers and deservedly so.  We look forward to an exciting season under their leadership."

Blackman, a 6-foot-4 guard from Dix Hills, New York, started in 29 out of 30 games in his first season playing at Niagara. His team-leading 13.5 points per game, .459 field goal percentage and .831 free throw percentage were 11th, 10th and seventh in the MAAC, respectively. Blackman, who was recently named to the Preseason All-MAAC Third Team, had 20 double figures scoring games, including a Purple Eagle season-high 32 points at Quinnipiac on Feb. 8.

Davis, a 6-foot-2 guard from Philadelphia, started in 26 out of 29 games as a redshirt freshman last season. Davis averaged 7.3 points per game, including scoring a career-high 17 points against Hartford and also draining the game-winning 3-pointer at Saint Peter's on Nov. 20. Davis led the Purple Eagles in assists 14 times, including a Purple Eagle season-high nine assists against Quinnipiac on Feb. 1, while his 2.8 assists per game were 11th in the MAAC.

The Purple Eagles open the 2015-16 season at Old Dominion on Nov. 13 as part of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. Niagara opens its home schedule against Brown University on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-8499, www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets or tickets@niagara.edu.

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