RECAP: Knights win 8th straight; defeat Royals 94-76

RECAP: Knights win 8th straight; defeat Royals 94-76

The Niagara Knights men's basketball program won their 8th straight game on January 18th when the team defeated the visiting Redeemer Royals 94-76 at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. The win moves the CCAA's No. 5 ranked Knights to 8-1 on the season.

The Knights controlled the contest for the opening tip leading by as many as 24 early in the second quarter. The main difference in the contest proved to be the Knights prowess in the rebounding game. Niagara outrebounded their Ancaster-based opponents 74-36.

The Knights were led by second year point guard DJ Morrison. The Scarborough native was red hot in the contest, finishing with a team high 23 points. Morrison was a sizzling 7 for 9 in the opening half including a half court buzzer beater to close out the second frame. The Knights led 51-29 at the midpoint and Morrison and the majority of the Knights' starters were used sparingly in the second half.

Hamilton native Levi Mukuna also turned in an explosive performance for Niagara. The third year graduate of ACMT finished with 15 points and a team high 12 rebounds, his first double-double of 2016-17. The six-foot-three forward is averaging 13 points and six rebounds per game, and has been a welcome addition to the Knights attack this season.

Six-foot-four shooting guard Van Hutchinson Jr. (Nassau) also turned in a double-double finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Knights currently sport a record of 8-1. The team currently sits in second place in the OCAA West Division. The team will travel to Etobicoke on January 25th for a matchup against the third place Humber Hawks. The two teams last met on November 3rd in a spirited affair that saw the Knights capture a dramatic 71-66 come-from-behind victory. The Knights will return to the Welland Campus Athletic Centre on January 27th when they host the top-ranked Sheridan Bruins. Tip-off is set for 8:00pm.