Saturday, January 24th saw the Niagara College women's basketball program visit the Fanshawe Falcons (94, 3rd West) for a key OCAA West Division matchup. Despite dressing just nine players for the contest, the Knights defeated the Falcons 60-56 in front of a large crowd at the third annual 'Falconfest.'
The win moves the Knights to 6-6 on the season, and more importantly six points ahead of the Lambton Lions for the sixth and final West Division playoff spot.
Niagara College women's basketball head coach Mike Beccaria called the game "a very important and timely win" as the victory snaps the Knights' mini two-game losing streak that opened 2015.
"We have played the three top teams in our conference to start the second semester, and we knew this was going to be a tough stretch" continued Beccaria. "We are happy to beat a very good team in their home gym."
The two headed McPherson sister front court paced the Knights in the victory. Fourth year Kaitlin led all scorers finishing with 14 points, three rebounds, and two blocks, while first-year Courtney finished with 10 points and a game high 12 rebounds. Both sisters are graduates of École secondaire Confédération in Welland.
Second-year point guard Alyssa McCabe (Niagara Falls) continued her outstanding play in 2014-15. The five-foot-five graduate of A.N. Myer, finished with nine points, while also adding eight assists. McCabe currently leads the OCAA in assists, and for her performance on Saturday, was named Niagara College athlete of the week.
The victory moves the Knights to 6-6 on the season. The team now sit six points in front of the seventh place Lambton Lions, and just two points behind the fifth place St. Clair Saints.
Up next the team will host the Cambrian Golden Shield for a pair of games on January 31st and February 1st at the Welland Campus athletic centre. Admission is free for all Niagara College students, and for those unable to attend, all home games are live streamed on www.ocaatv.com.
