The Niagara College Knights Women's Basketball team did something on Wednesday night that they have not done since Sheridan College re-instated their women's basketball program in 2005-2006, they beat them.
Sheridan had won all 12 of the previous regular season league games against Niagara.
On Wednesday night, in a very tightly played and physical contest, the Knights beat the no. 3 ranked Bruins 78-67.
The Knights held only a 16-15 lead after the first 10 minutes. In the second quarter, the Knights were able to increase their lead to 37-34 before heading in the dressing room at the break. The Bruins would start the third quarter on a 7-2 run to take a 41-39 lead. However, the Knights would answer with a 8-1 run of their own. With 4:46 left in the third quarter, Niagara was dealt a key blow, when third-year guard Amanda Pepin (St. Catharines, ON) suffered an ankle injury and was forced to leave the game. The Knights would hold just a one point lead, 57-56, going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Bruins would get into foul trouble sending the Knights to the free-throw line 14 times. The Knights would take advantage of their opportunities, going 13-for-14 (93%) from the charity stripe to pull away for the eleven point victory.
Fourth-year guard Allana Arundell (Toronto, ON) led the Knights in scoring with 18 points, shooting 11-for-12 (92%) from the free-throw line, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
Four other Knights reached double-digits in scoring. Kate Montgomery (Waterford, ON) had 15, while Shelby Johnston (Welland, ON) chipped in with 12. Anita Cloutier and Amanda Pepin, who are both from St. Catharines, each had 10 points including two three-pointers.
Fourth-year guard Nakia Arthur (Brampton, ON) had a game-high 37 points in a losing effort for the Bruins.
With the win, the Knights record improves to 4-4, while the Bruins fall to 6-2.
Niagara will travel to Etobicoke on Friday, December 2 to take on the Humber College Hawks (5-3). Game time is 6:00pm.
