WELLAND, ON: The Niagara Knights men's basketball team (8-8) kept the fans on the edge of their seats in tonight's game against the visiting Sheridan Bruins (7-8) as it came down to the dying seconds to decide who would win this one. The Knights were able to pull off the 3-point win with a final score of 89-86.
This game began by celebrating the team's one graduating student athlete, Kadin Moore, who has spent the past 3 years playing for the Knights. Once play got underway, the teams traded possession back and forth with a very low-scoring start to the game. The Bruins did not score their first basket until after 3 minutes of play in the quarter. The Knights went on a 10-0 run midway through the quarter before the Bruins were able to go on a small run of their own to end the frame. The 2nd quarter was much of the same with both teams trading baskets back and forth. The Knights outscored the Bruins by 1 point in this frame to take a 4-point lead into the halftime break.
The 3rd quarter was where the Knights struggled the most as they were outscored 26-13 by the Bruins and saw the Bruins make the comeback and hold a 9-point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. This is the largest lead the Bruins would see all game. The Knights had a much-needed dominant 4th quarter as they continually chipped away at Sheridan's lead over the course of the entire quarter. This game got intense down the stretch and a couple of key fouls and made free throws helped the Knights secure the win.
1st year forward Difference Igbinehi would be the Knights' best player in this one as he had a season-high 22 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals. He was followed closely by 1st year guard Joseph Buckley, who has been a leader on this Knights team – he scored 19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Not to be outdone, graduating senior Kadin Moore also added 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Knights will look to carry this 4-game winning streak into their next game as they travel to Conestoga to take on the Condors on Saturday afternoon. This is another important game in the playoff picture with tipoff scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, February 7th. Feel free to follow along at ocaalive.com if you are not able to watch in person.
For more information on the Knights' teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca.
