Despite suffering their slowest start of the 2013-14 season, the Niagara College women's basketball program improved to 8-3 on the season, after defeating the Redeemer Royals in dramatic fashion at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre.
Riding the hot hand of fifth-year guard Tara Giallonardo, who finished with 23 points, the Knights battled back from a 20-point second half deficit to defeat the talented Royals by a final score of 74-69.
Knights' head coach Mike Beccaria commented "tonight was a huge comeback win for us, and potentially a season saving one considering how strong this division is."
The Knights utilized their team-based offensive approach to the game, as nine players recorded points, and four players finished in double digit scoring.
Aside from Giallonadro, veteran forwards Shelby Johnston and Miranda Ross continued their strong play. Johnston a five-foot-11 native of Welland finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while the St. Catharines native Ross added 12 points and a game high eight rebounds.
Rookie guard Anna Jaworowicz (Midland) also turned in one of her strongest games of the season, finishing with 10 points in just 17 minutes of play.
Coach Becarria gave his team all the credit for the second half performance. "At halftime little was said. We made one small offensive adjustment then the coaching staff left the team room. Everything was left in the players hands as to how they would respond in the second half."
The Knights trailed by 17 at halftime, and in the early minutes of the third quarter the Royals stretched the lead to as many as 20.
Coming out of a time out, the Knights went on an 11-0 run to close within nine points, before spending the majority of the second half gradually chipping away at the Royals lead before finally taking the lead with just 2:00 minutes remaining.
Beccaria continued "I'm not sure why we came out so flat, maybe it was still a hangover from the break and the short turnaround after Mohawk. But the girls responded well, gave a great team effort in the second half and we picked up two huge points."
The Knights will return to action on Friday, January 17th when the team travels to Sheridan to take on the Bruins. Tip-off for that game is set for 6:00pm.
