The Niagara College men's and women's basketball programs took part in the 6th Annual Peninsula Hoops Classic Saturday in the Bob Davis Gymnasium at Brock. The Peninsula Hoops Classic brings the regions two post-secondary institutions together to benefit a key community organization: the United Way.
Each year the classic alternates venues and generated $2,500 for United Way last season when it was held at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre.
The day began with the women's program playing first, trying to defeat the Badgers for the first time since the classic began. The Knights had four returning players start the game, with former McMaster Marauder Brooke-Lyn Murdoch (Welland) making her debut.
Unfortunately for Niagara College, the Badgers jumped out to a 17-4 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Behind Katie Harpur's 11 points and 15 rebounds, the Badgers defeated the Knights 69-42.
The Knights were led offensively by third-year guard Mary Ingribelli (St. Catharines), who finished the day with a game-high 12 points. Ingribelli, who finished 2014-15 with the highest free-throw percentage on the team, finished this game hitting all six of her free-throw attempts.
Courtney McPherson (Welland), the reigning OCAA rookie of the year, finished the contest with a team-high ten rebounds. Last season McPherson was ranked seventh in the CCAA when she averaged 10.4 rebounds-per-game.
Afterwards, a revamped men's basketball program went head-to-head with a Badgers team that had already played five preseason games. Despite only have four players on their team with OCAA experience, the Knights battled Brock hard, keeping the game close. The Badgers offence went 21-7 run late in the fourth quarter and the Knights fell 98-68.
Leading the Knights offensively were Marako Lundy and Alex Elliot who contributed with 18 and 15 points respectively. Lundy, who is currently ninth all-time with 72 three-point field goals made, went 4-8 from deep in the contest.
Up next for the Knights will be an exhibition road game against the Centennial Colts on Wednesday, September 30th. OCAA regular season action begins October 24th when the Knights play on the road against Cambrian.