The Niagara Knights women's basketball program (6-6, 5th OCAA West) will welcome the Sault Cougars (3-8, 8th OCAA West) on January 30th and 31st for a weekend doubleheader. The Knights return to the court after a 10-day break and will welcome some key contributors back into the lineup.
Niagara is looking to rebound from a 13 point loss to the Mohawk Mountaineers (9-3, 3rd OCAA West) on January 20th. After sitting out their previous game both Alyssa McCabe (Niagara Falls) and Miranda Ross (St. Catharines) will return to the court for the Knights. McCabe, the team's leader in minutes played, currently finds herself ranked fifth in the OCAA in assists with 43 through 11 games played. She is also in the top 20 in league scoring with 125 points. Ross, a fifth-year paramedic student, is a consistent leader on the hardwood for the Knights and ranks in the top five on the team in points, 3-pointers, and assists this season.
Alongside McCabe and Ross, the Knights will once again look to the leadership of Courtney McPherson (Welland). McPherson currently leads the OCAA in rebounds and sits fourth in points scored. She has recorded a double-double in each of the Knights past seven contests and will be leaned on once again to control the flow of the game.
After losing their first eight games of the season, the Cougars have turned things around to win each their last three contests. Sault now finds themselves within striking distance of the OCAA West division's final playoff spot and will no doubt bring a feisty game against the Knights. Niagara will need to lean upon their leaders and out match the Cougars intensity on the court if they want to leave the weekend with two victories in tow.
Saturday's game is slated for a 6:00 pm start, while Sunday's contest will tip-off at 1:00 pm. Both games will take place at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5.00, while students and those under the age of 17 are admitted free. For those unable to be in attendance, all Knights home games are live streamed through www.goknights.ca/watchlive.
