The Niagara College Men’s and Women’s Basketball Programs travelled across the border on Thursday night for a pair of exhibition games against the Genesse Cougars. Both Knights teams secured victories with the women earning a 73-40 win, and the men 73-70.
On the women’s side, the Knights put in one of their strongest performances of the season. Four players for the Knights scored in double digits, and the team never trailed in the contest.
Head Coach Ron Lemon was happy with his team’s effort, “it was a good game for us. Everyone on the roster played, and everyone scored.”
Second year centre Kaitlyn McPherson and third year forward Shelby Johnston led the way offensively for Niagara finishing the game with 16 points each.
McPherson is averaging a team high 12 points and nine rebounds for the Knights this season, while Johnston continued her recent strong play that saw her be named this week’s Niagara College Female Athlete of the Week.
The Women’s Basketball Program will close out 2012 with a December 18th home court exhibition matchup against Erie Community College at 4:00pm at the Welland campus athletic centre.
The injury plagued Men’s Basketball Program also had a strong outing against the Cougars. With several key team members out of the lineup, the Knights dressed only eight players for Thursday night’s game.
Coach Steve Atkin called the victory “a very impressive win for our guys against a very tough Genesee squad.”
With Niagara leading by as many as 18 points in the contest, the Cougars rebounded with a strong fourth quarter, closing the gap to three points.
The comeback was short-lived however, as the Knights managed to hold on for a 73-70 win.
Offensively the Knights had four players score in double digits. Alex Campbell led the way with 19 points, while current Male Athlete of the Week Ashton Stephenson finished the game with 17.
First year guard Johnathon Mataya had the strongest game of his young career. The six-foot-six Welland, Ontario native finished the game with 11 points.
Moving into the Holiday break, Head Coach Atkin identified “it’s time for us to get healthy.” The Knights will not return to the court until December 28th when the team participates in the annual Sheridan Bruins Invitational tournament.