October 18, 2025 

WELLAND, ON: The Niagara Knights women's basketball team suffered a loss in their opening game of the 2025-2026 season, falling to the Conestoga Condors 58-48. 

With a new head coach and many new faces on their bench to start this season, the team got off to a wobbly start but were able to score the first point of the game.  It was a back-and-forth affair after that, with the two teams finding themselves tied at the halfway mark of the 1st quarter.  Conestoga scored 7 unanswered points before Niagara scored a deuce to finish off the first 10 minutes of the game. 

The Knights scored the first 7 points of the 2nd quarter before the Condors went on a run of their own to make it 22-16 Conestoga at halftime. 

5th year Aisja Strachan led the 3rd quarter, scoring 6 of her 12 total points in this frame.  She played 33 minutes and went 3-4 from the free throw line adding 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.  2nd year transfer from Sheridan College, Lyric Shallow, also had a great game, scoring 17 points and adding 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. 

The Knights tried to keep close in the late minutes of this game, but the Condors pulled away late in the 4th quarter and were able to hold out for the win.  When asked to reflect on the game, 1st year head coach Allie Columbus shared "there are components in the game that show what we're capable of, it's just about piecing things together and getting more consistency".  She is "happy with the growth we've had as a new group coming together but looking to advance our play as a cohesive unit". 

Niagara will have the week to regroup and recover before they head to Mohawk College to face the Mountaineers on Saturday, October 25th.  Tipoff is scheduled for 4pm at the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre in Hamilton. 

For more information on the Knights' teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca