February 4 and 5 saw the Niagara College women's basketball program improve to 10-5 after heading north to Sault St. Marie for a pair of games against the Sault College Cougars. The Knights never trailed in the contests, securing a pair a key victories with scores of 81-57 and 82-55.
After Sunday's second game of the back-to-back road trip, Knights head coach Mike Beccaria described the performance as "a workman like weekend." He continued "we scored inside and outside, looked for our mismatches, and moved the ball around very well."
Welland native Courtney McPherson was dominant for her team over the weekend. The former Confederation Jaguar standout recorded a pair of double-doubles, bringing her total to eight this season. The veteran forward notched game highs in points (25) and rebounds (13) on Saturday, then added 16 points and 12 rebounds on Sunday, despite playing just 16 minutes. McPherson was named Niagara College athlete of the week for the performance.
Third-year guard Mary Ingribelli (St. Catharines) led the Knights in scoring with a combined 42 points. The Governor Simcoe graduate, who missed all of the 2015-16 season after suffering an ACL tear, recorded 18 points on Saturday before finishing with a season high 24 points on Sunday. Ingribelli is averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season.
Up next the Knights will host their final home games on the 2016-17 season. The team will face the Lambton Lions on Saturday, February 11 at 1:00pm, and the St. Clair Saints on February 12.
Sunday's matchup against the second place Saints will also serve as the fourth annual women's basketball 'Grad Night' ceremony. Seven graduating student-athletes from the program will be recognized prior to the 1:00pm tip-off for their academic accomplishments.