Story by Tyler Lamb
March 3, 2023 WELLAND, ONT - The Niagara College Women's Basketball Team (9-7, 4TH West) faced off against the Algonquin Wolves (14-0, 1st East) in their quarter-final OCAA Championship match up Friday evening, with the Wolves coming out victorious 63-53 .
The championship host Knights were facing up against the No. 5 nationally ranked team in the Wolves and knew they had their work cut out for them. The Wolves showed their hand early, taking an eight point lead against the Knights leading 20-12 going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter the Wolves were able to draw five quick fouls to put them into bonus only four minutes into the quarter. The wolves we able to continuously get to the line and even through the Knights were able to start getting into more of a rhythm, the Knights trailed 40-27 going in the break.
Coming out of half-time The Knights we not going down without a fight and came out of the break full throttle on both ends of the court holding the Wolves to only seven points in the third quarter and closing the gap on the Wolves to only 7-points with one quarter left to play.
Despite the resurgence in the third quarter and a great second half performance from the OCAA West Division Second Team All-Star Taryn Mitchell, scoring eight points in the second, the Wolves regained their grip on the game to keep their unbeaten streak alive and see out a 63-53 victory.
The Knights were led in points by Janee Harrison and Mitchell with 15 points each. Molly Taylor also put in a great performance Friday evening scoring 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 5 blocks before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Algonquin will advance to the semi-final tomorrow to face the Lambton Lions, who defeated the St. Clair Saints in the final game of the evening.
