The Niagara College Knights Men's Basketball team defeated the Sheridan College Bruins 73-70 on Wednesday night to remain in first-place in the OCAA West Region. The Knights who are 4-0 at home this season, improved their league record to 7-1, while the Bruins fall to 5-3, with all three of their losses coming on the road.
The Knights would jump out to a 20-17 lead in the first quarter. However, it would be the Bruins ahead 34-33 at half-time. In the third quarter, the Knights would not allow the Bruins to pull away. Trailing only by three points (55-52) going into the final frame, Rashad Morley (Nassau, Bahamas), Jimmy Bilenga (Hamilton, ON) and Matt Poirier (St. Catharines, ON) would combine for 21 points in the quarter to put the Knights up 73-70 with less than 4 seconds left in regulation. In the dying seconds, Bruins guard Alan Anderson (Mississauga, ON) would miss a three-point shot from the wing giving the Knights the victory.
Jimmy Bilenga would lead the Knights in scoring with 21 points, including 7-for-7 (100%) from the free-throw line, while Rashad Morley contributed with 20 points and a season-high 22 rebounds.
First-year guard Dylan Periana (Brampton, ON) came off the bench and had 20 points for the Bruins.
The Knights are back in action on Friday night, when they travel to Etobicoke, Ontario to take on the three-time defending OCAA Champions, the Humber College Hawks (6-2), who are 4-0 at home this season. Game time is 8:00pm.
