The Mohawk Mountaineers scored 26 straight points in the first half to cruise to a 65-52 victory over the Niagara Knights women's basketball team on Tuesday night. After jumping out to an early 6-0 lead, a "major mental lapse" according to Knights Head Coach Ron Lemon allowed the Mountaineers to take the lead and never look back during his team' s season opener.
The Mohawk squad was led by the 3-point shooting of Careena Browne who went 4 for 7 in 3-point shooting, en route to scoring a game leading 19 points. Cassie Brown also went 3 for 6 in 3-point attempts, while totaling 14 points.
Coach Lemon felt the Knights "played very well in the second half," anchored by first year forward Lauren Brew. The 6-foot-1, St. Catharines, Ontario native ended the game one rebound short of a double double recording 11 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Kate Montgomery, the reigning Niagara College Female Athlete of the Week, continued her strong play scoring 10 points and adding 5 rebounds. While 5th year guard Allana Arundell scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
Heading into their Thursday, November 1st exhibition game against the Rochester Tigers, Coach Lemon hopes his team can build on a strong fourth quarter performance which saw the Knights outscore the Mountaineers 24-18.
The Knights home opener is scheduled for Thursday, November 8th at 6:00 pm, when the team will play host to the Humber Hawks.