The Niagara College Knights Men's Basketball team lost 94-80 to the three-time defending OCAA Champions, the Humber College Hawks last night in Welland.

The Knights would jump out to a 24-18 lead in the first quarter. However, the Hawks would end the first half on a 9-4 run and go into the dressing room trailing 41-40.

The second half belonged to the Hawks, especially the fourth quarter when they heated up from behind the arc and outscored the Knights 25-15 to clinch the victory and hand Niagara their first loss at home this season.

Alex Campbell (Brampton, ON) had a season-high 35 points in the loss for the Knights, including shooting 9-for-10 (90%) from the free-throw line. Rashad Morley (Nassau, Bahamas) had 14 points and 21 rebounds to record his fifth double-double of the season. Jimmy Bilenga (Hamilton, ON) also chipped in with 13 points for the Knights.

Meanwhile, Akeem Sween (Mississauga, ON) and Daviau Rodney (Brampton, ON) scored 22 and 20 points for the Hawks, who remain in first-place in the OCAA West Region with a 9-2 record.

With the loss the Knights fall to 8-4 and a five-way tie for second place.

Like the first meeting with the Hawks, the Knights three-point shooting, or lack thereof, was the difference in the game. They shot just 4-for-24 (16.7%) from behind the arc, while the Hawks were 10-for-26 (38%)

In their 80-50 loss to Humber back on December 2, the Knights went 2-for-22 (9%) from three point range.

The Knights will now have a 10 day lay-off before travelling to Brampton on Saturday, February 4 to take on the Sheridan College Bruins. Game time is 6pm.

Niagara beat Sheridan 73-70 in their first meeting back on November 30 in Welland.