The OCAA No. 5 ranked Niagara Knights men's basketball program (6-3, 4th OCAA West) kicks off the winter semester on Friday night as they head to Ancaster to take on the Redeemer Royals (2-7, 8th OCAA West). The Knights, currently tied with Lambton and Humber in the OCAA West region standings, are hoping to start off the New Year with a win against the Royals.
Niagara's offensive leader Marako Lundy (Nassau, Bahamas) will seek to pick up right where he left off prior to the break. The fourth-year forward averaged 19.7 points per game, good for fourth best in the OCAA through the program's first nine games. His offensive output helped lead the Knights to the OCAA's fourth highest scoring offense, averaging 86.2 points per game.
Seeking to add to the offense during the second half of the season, Knights' coach Keith Vassell has added both Delroy Grandison (Kingston, Jamaica) and Tyrell Rodgers (Mississauga) to the roster. Both Grandison and Rodgers previously suited up for the Knights during the 2014-15 season. Grandison, the 2014-15 OCAA West region rookie of the year, averaged 15.1 points in 17 games during his freshman season last year. Rodgers, a third year guard averaged 11.0 in nine games during the 2014-15 season.
Despite sporting a 2-7 record in the first half of the regular season, the Royals are not a team that can be taken lightly. Three of their losses were by five or less points, including 96-91 loss to the OCAA's 3rd ranked Sheridan Bruins in November. Heading into Friday's game Redeemer's 83.2 points per game have made them the fifth highest scoring team in the OCAA, so one can expect a strong offensive effort from both programs.
In their only other meeting this season Niagara secured an 84-62 victory over Redeemer in Welland. The Knights were paced by 18 points each from Marako Lundy and first-year guard Alex Elliott (Welland). Niagara is 36-3 all-time against Redeemer, however the Royals have won 3 of the last 5 matchups.
Tip-off for Friday's matchup is slated for 8:00 pm at the Redeemer University College Gymnasium in Ancaster. The game will also be streamed live at http://www.redeemerroyals.ca/sports/2015/10/5/watchlive.aspx.
