The Niagara College Women's Basketball Program lost for the first time in three weeks on Monday night. The Knights lost a hard fought 77-71 battle against the 13-2 Fanshawe Falcons. The loss moves the Knights to 7-9 on the season, just two points ahead of the Sheridan Bruins in the battle for the final playoff spot in the OCAA West Division.
The Falcons travelled to the Welland Campus Athletic Centre in second place in the OCAA West Division, riding an eight game winning streak.
The Knights played well despite the loss, playing point-for-point with the Falcons, however a few costly turnovers and some cold shooting in second half, cost the team the victory.
With the Knights mathematically eliminated from hosting a playoff game, the Monday night matchup was the final home game for graduating players Alanna Arundell, Kate Montgomery, Miranda, Ross, Kristin Oliviera, and Melissa Wolfraith.
Fifth year guard Alanna Arundell notched 15 points and five assists in the contest. The Toronto native, and two-time CCAA Scholar-Athlete award winner will graduate from the Child and Youth Worker Program this spring, and her career at Niagara College has included a Team MVP award, and an OCAA Second-Team All-Star selection.
Second-year forward Miranda Ross continued her outstanding play. The St. Catharines native and 2011-12 Rookie of the Year recorded 12 points and nine rebounds for the Knights. Ross, who is averaging 9.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season, will graduate from the Occupational and Physio-therapy Assistant Program.
Fourth-year forward Kate Montgomery also had a strong final home game for the Knights. The Waterford, Ontario native, and 2009-10 Women's Basketball Rookie of the Year award winner recorded nine points and seven rebounds in the contest.
The Knights will close out the 2012-13 with a pair of road games against the 4-11 Redeemer Royals and 10-5 Humber Hawks. With Sheridan Bruins currently sitting just two points behind the Knights for the final playoff spot in the OCAA West Division, Niagara will be looking for strong performances in both contests.
