It was the exact finish to the first half of the regular season that the Niagara Knights men's basketball program was looking for. Coming off a heartbreaking, buzzer beater loss just under a week ago the Knights responded with a convincing 110-95 victory over the OCAA No. 3 ranked Sheridan Bruins.
With the game being billed as a pair of OCAA heavyweights offences doing battle, it did not disappoint. It was close throughout, as the Knights carried a three point lead into the half and a two point lead into the final frame before they pulled away late for the victory.
In reaching the century mark, the Knights have accomplished the feat seven times in the first half. It is an impressive feat considering the Knights only surpassed the 100-point plateau six times total in the previous six seasons combined. Through the seasons first 11 games, the Knights are averaging exactly 100.0 points per game.
The win moves the Knights into a second place logjam in the OCAA West Division. They are now tied at 8-3 with the Bruins, while sitting only one game ahead of the Redeemer Royals and Fanshawe Falcons who both find themselves with 7-3 records.
Alex Elliott (Welland) rode his hot hand for entirety of the match, opening the scoring with a three-pointer just 6 seconds into the game. He would finish with a career high 28 points, surpassing his previous career high of 20 set just a week ago, in 34 minutes of action.
For the 9th time in 11 games, Van Hutchinson Jr. (Bahamas) recorded a double-double with 26 points and 11 assists to his credit. Hutchinson Jr. closes the season's first half 269 points, 124 rebounds, 85 assists, and 31 steals which leads the OCAA in all four categories.
Jordon McDonald (Mississauga) controlled the glass for the Knights with 11 rebounds, and adding 12 points to complete a double-double as well.
The Knights will now enjoy an extend holiday break, resuming their regular season schedule on Friday, January 11th when they head to Ancaster to visit the Redeemer Royals. Over the break, Niagara will host their annual Knights Invitational welcoming teams from across the OCAA to the Welland Campus on Athletic Centre for a pair of action packed basketball days on January 2nd and 3rd.
