November 3, 2023, WELLAND, ON.
By: Laura Guiot & Kaitlin Saxton
The Niagara College women's basketball team faced a hard-fought battle against the undefeated Lambton Lions on Friday night, coming up short 66-63.
The Knights started off the game strong with back-to-back runs from Taryn Mitchell which would set the tone for the rest of the game. Niagara led the first quarter gaining a 22-17 point lead, but the second frame saw the Lions gain momentum. The remainder of the game followed in a similar fashion where we saw the Knights and the Lions battle back and forth. The Lions closed out the half with a three-point lead, 37-34.
Veteran Lexxus Bell had a strong performance putting up 11 points and 5 rebounds. Additionally, Diana Saoud came off the bench ready to have the best game of her career thus far. She scored 8 points and had 3 rebounds in the first half, followed by another 11 points and 3 rebounds in the second.
Niagara managed to stay within a few baskets throughout the third frame. Despite going 75% from the three-point line and outshooting the lions in the paint in the fourth quarter, they came up short at the final buzzer.
In spite of the loss, Diana Saoud had an amazing game totalling 19 points and 6 rebounds, setting a career record. "D has an incredible personality; she is playing the way we need her to play and she has done a lot of work on herself and on her game. I am glad it is showing" said by Christopher Rao when asked about how her performance impacted the game coming off the bench.
The Knights currently hold a 2-2 record. They will have a week off to recover and prepare before they take on the Fanshawe Falcons Saturday November 11 in London, ON.
