The OCAA No. 9 ranked Niagara Knights women's basketball program (4-5, 5th OCAA West) hits the road on Friday night to take on the Redeemer Royals (4-5, 5th OCAA West) in Ancaster to open the second half of the regular season. The Knights are looking to snap a 4-game regular season losing streak they have carried into the New Year.
Through the first half of the season second year forward Courtney McPherson (Welland) has carried the load for the Knights. In the first nine games McPherson has averaged a double-double, accumulating 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. The reigning OCAA rookie of the year leads the OCAA in offensive rebounds. This has contributed to an OCAA high of 24.7 offensive rebounds per game for the Knights.
In addition to the offensive output of McPherson, guards Alyssa McCabe (Niagara Falls) and Brooke-Lyn Murdoch (Welland) have contributed 34 and 29 assists respectively, good for second and third best in the OCAA.
On the defensive side of the ball, Miranda Ross (St. Catharines) leads the OCAA in blocks, accumulating 22 in the first nine games. The fifth year forward is averaging 2.4 blocks per game, a full block more than the next closest player. As a team, the Knights are averaging a league leading 5.3 blocks per game, and will look to ride that strong defensive play against the Royals.
Statistically speaking this game will be a battle of offense versus defense. Offensively Niagara has averaged 67.7 points for per game, while Redeemer has given up an average of 67.7 points per game. However, the key for Niagara will be their defense against the OCAA's second highest scoring team. The Royals are averaging 75.0 points per game, while the Knights defence has allowed a stingy 55.9 points against per game.
The Knights are 30-7 all-time against Redeemer, including the previous five matchups heading into Friday night's game. The last time the two teams met Niagara secured a 79-62 victory over the Royals on November 4th in Welland. In the contest the Knights were led offensively by Brooke-Lyn Murdoch who scored 18 points, while Courtney McPherson collected a double-double scoring 17 points and collection 15 rebounds.
Tip-off for Friday's matchup is slated for 6:00 pm at the Redeemer University College Gymnasium in Ancaster. The game will also be streamed live at http://www.redeemerroyals.ca/sports/2015/10/5/watchlive.aspx.
