The Niagara College Knights Women's Basketball team faced a simple scenario going into final game of the 2011-2012 season. If they could beat the Lambton College Lions, they would advance to the playoffs, but if they lost to the Lions, their season was over.

On Wednesday night, Niagara defeated Lambton 71-63 to claim a spot in the OCAA Championships qualifying game.

By the end of the first half the Knights were ahead of their opponents 31-20. While in the lead, it didn't stop the Lions from catching up.

Throughout the second half the Lions outscored the Knights 43-30.

While Lambton led in points during in the latter half it wasn't enough to vanquish the Knights and claim the victory.

"It was a good battle. We played well," said head coach Ron Lemon.

"We kept the turnovers down which was good. We hope to play well in the playoffs on Saturday."

Third-year forward Kate Montgomery scored a game-high 18 points for the Knights. Anita Cloutier (St. Catharines, ON) and Allana Arundell (Toronto, ON) scored 14 points and 11 points respectively. Kaitlyn McPherson (Welland, ON) chipped in with seven.

Wednesday's win against the Lions avenged a 51-50 loss against the Lions at the beginning of the season during an opening game of a home-and-home series in Sarnia.

Currently sitting in fifth in the OCAA West Region's standings, the Knights will travel to Belleville Saturday to face the East Region's fourth place team, the Loyalist College Lancers at 1 p.m.

The winner of that game will advance to the OCAA Championships taking place at Seneca College in Toronto from March 1-3.