The CCAA's #10 ranked Niagara College men's basketball program improved to 4-0 on Wednesday, November 4th with an impressive 84-62 home court victory over the Redeemer Royals (1-1). The four wins to open the season marks the first time the Knights have opened a campaign with four straight victories since 2008-09, a year that saw the team capture the OCAA bronze medal.
"Our defence was overwhelming tonight" said Knights' second-year head coach Keith Vassell. "I'm really proud of how the guys worked. They stepped up and really established themselves in the defensive end."
The OCAA's third ranked Knights struggled to open the contest trailing 9-4 in the early stages. Spurred by a large crowd of over 300 loud and boisterous spectators, the Knights outscored the Royals 37-19 over the next quarter and a half, taking a 41-28 lead into halftime.
"It was a hard fought first quarter" continued Vassell. "We played strong defence but Redeemer hit some three pointers that kept their offense going early. In the second quarter we came together and took over. We had a solid stretch."
The difference in the contest proved to be the Knights' red hot play in the third quarter. The team outscored their Ancaster opponents 30-16 in the frame, and cruised from there, on route to a 22 point victory.
The Knights employed a balanced offensive attack as 10 of 12 players found the score sheet. The Knights' bench outscored the Royals bench 41-12 demonstrating the talent and depth of the entire lineup.
Rookie guard Alex Elliott (Welland) and veteran Marako Lundy (Nassau, Bahamas) led the way recording 18 points each. Lundy also added seven rebounds and three steals, while Elliott finished with seven rebounds and two assists.
Six-foot-six forward Jonathon Mataya (Welland) finished with a game high eight rebounds, while also contributing two points, two blocks, and two steals.
Second year point guard DJ Morrison (Scarborough), turned in his strongest game of the season finishing with 12 points on four of seven shooting, while also adding three assists and two steals.
Despite the strong showing, Coach Vassell feels his team "needs to continue to work on finishing around the rim. Overall I'm pleased with the energy and the significant progress we've made as a team. We are looking forward to getting back to work at practice."
The Knights will return to action this weekend when the team travels to the U.S. for a pair of exhibition matches against the Oswego State Lakers and Hobart Statesmen. The team will return to OCAA play on Friday, November 13th when the team travels to Sheridan to take on the CCAA's #2 ranked Bruins (4-0) in a battle for top spot in the highly competitive OCAA West Division.
