If the 2nd Annual Blue & White Home Opener was any indication, fans of the Niagara Knights men's basketball program (2-1, 2nd OCAA West) will be in for an entertaining season. The Knights overcame a 12 point deficit and defeated the Humber Hawks (1-1, 4th OCAA West) 71-66 on Thursday night.
The Knights trailed throughout the evening, but outscored the Hawks 21-8 in the fourth quarter to secure the 5 point victory in an electric Welland Campus Athletic Centre. Lequan Hylton (Mississauga) was absolutely stellar for the Knights scoring a game high 22 points on the evening, including 15 in the second half. He was joined in double digits by Levi Mukuna (Hamilton) and DJ Morrison (Scarborough) who dropped 14 and 12 respectively. Jordon McDonald (Mississauga) was a beast on the glass for Niagara bringing down 16 rebounds, 10 of which were on the offensive end of the floor.
It was an electric finish for Niagara, rattling off an 8-2 run to close out the game. The victory marks the first time in program history that the Knights have earned back-to-back victories over the Hawks since 1983. Niagara beat Humber to close out the regular season last year 77-71 in a heated battle in Welland.
Niagara will now a long layoff, not competing in regular season action until the visit the Lambton Lions and St. Clair Saints on November 18th and 19th. They will return home to the Welland Campus Athletic Centre on November 30th when the Redeemer Royals come to town.
