Wednesday night saw the Niagara College men's and women's basketball programs host the top ranked Mohawk Mountaineers at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. Despite turning in strong performances in both games, the Knights failed to open 2015 with a victory.
The women's basketball program dropped a hard fought 67-57 game to the first place Mountaineers, while the men fell 78-73 to the CCAA's 10th ranked Mohawk side.
The loss drops the Niagara College women's basketball program to 5-5 on the season and into sole possession of sixth place in the OCAA West Division. The now 3-7 men's program turned in one of their strongest performances of the season, falling 78-73 to now 9-1 Mohawk.
In the 6:00pm women's game, the two teams were deadlocked at 34-34 at halftime. Second half foul trouble proved to be the difference in the contest, as Niagara sent Mohawk to the free throw line 11 times in the second half.
Niagara College women's basketball head coach Mike Beccaria commented "we are still showing the potential and ability to play with anyone. Mohawk is a very strong team, and certainly tonight our fitness showed as something that we need to work on."
Second year guard Mary Ingribelli (St. Catharines) paced the Knights finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds, while rookie forward Courtney McPherson (Welland) padded her already impressive rookie season, turning in her team leading fifth double-double finishing with 11 points and a game high 13 rebounds.
On the men's side, first-year Knights head coach Keith Vassell felt "proud of the way the guys left it all on the floor." He continued "Mohawk is a deep and strong team, and tonight was a close game. We had a really strong third quarter and outscored them 26-18."
Red hot shooting by Mohawk's two fifth year guards in Matt Savel (23) and Matt Fennell (23) proved to be difference in the contest.
Five Knights finished the game in double digit scoring. Second year forward Aaron Chapman (Midland) finished tied for the team high in both points and rebounds finishing with 13 and six respectively.
Point guard Lequan Hylton (Mississauga) and newcomer Vicrum Kailey (Oakville) also finished with 13 points, while Max Dottin (St. Catharines) and Ryan Christie (Hamilton) contributed 11 each.
Both teams will look for a more favourable outcome when they return to action on January 15th when they visit the Humber Hawks. The Knights return to the Welland athletic centre on January 31st when the teams host the Cambrian Golden Shield.
