Loading ...

By STEPHEN DYELL
Staff Writer
Post defence was key as the Lady Knights got revenge on Mohawk College of Hamilton.
The Niagara Knights defeated Mohawk Mountaineers 52–42 Friday evening at the Niagara College Athletic Centre after losing to the Mountaineers Nov. 18, 52-43.
Team defence helped in the win as the ladies allowed a total of six points within five feet of the net.
“It went fairly well. We never relinquished the lead,” Coach Ron Lemon stated. “Our offence got stuttered every now and then.”
The Mountaineers began trapping early in the first quarter causing some turnovers but after a quick timeout, the Knights had a plan to get the ball up court.
The mid-range jump shot began dropping for Mohawk as Niagara countered by getting easy looks down low.
Around six minutes in, Niagara began to press forcing precious time of the shot clock not allowing Mohawk to run their plays which began to work. That led to a big block by 6’2” centre, Rachel Waren, which got Niagara’s defence fired up.
Guard Jessica James hit a long three-point shot to increase the lead to 17–11 with only 7:50 left to play in the first half.
James then responded by hitting her second three of the night, stealing the ball and laying it in for an easy two.
The Knights went into the half leading 32–20 out-hustling their opponents.
They came out of the break with their foot on the gas pedal not wanting to give up the lead.
Five minutes into the second half, the Knights allowed their first inside basket of the game and eventually the Mountaineers were only down by six as Niagara couldn’t hit the easy looks, causing Lemon to call a timeout.
James got the message hitting yet another three point shot just seconds after entering the court. A few minutes later, she stole the ball and had an easy layup bringing the lead to 50–36 for the Knights. James finished the game with a team high 15 points.
“Our shooting was our strongest point,” Lemon stated as the team was on fire from behind the arc.
Brandy Szockvi, 5’6 guard, helped all game bringing the ball up court during the press scored seven points and added numerous assists.
Jenna Varga began getting easy looks down, low making basket after basket in which she finished with 11 points.
The Knights stepped up the defence and finished the game allowing only 12 points in the final five minutes securing the win.
“We played fairly good defence. In the first half, we controlled the defensive boards,” Lemon said. “We didn’t shoot the foul shots well but [it was] a good win for us.”
Niagara this season is allowing 56.5 points per game against them while only averaging 52.9 points forced. Those numbers should sway the other way if the defence continues to play hard each game.
The Knights moved to 6–6 for the season and moved to fifth in the West Division of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association. They will play Sheridan College Feb. 17 for their last regular season game.