WELLAND, ON: The Niagara Knights women's basketball team (3-11) celebrated this year's senior night with a 71-57 over the visiting Sheridan Bruins. This was an important matchup for the nights as they jostle for playoff positioning and came into this game behind Sheridan in the overall standings. Tonight's win helped them jump up two spots in the rankings and should help them secure a spot in the 2025-2026 post-season.
The Knights celebrated 6 graduating student athletes this evening – Alia Omar-Bujak, Suidy-Ann Volcy-Champagne, Alyah Pereira, Lyric Shallow, Aisja Strachan, and Lexxus Bell. Once the formalities were out of the way and the game began, it was all business. Baskets were traded back-and-forth all quarter long, and a mere 1-point lead was carried into the 2nd quarter by the Knights. The Bruins were 1st to score in the 2nd quarter and kept it close for most of the frame, but the Knights were able to go on a late run and build a 7-point lead to take into the halftime break.
The 3rd quarter was the Knights' most dominant, as they outscored the Bruins 21-10. A couple of small runs by the Knights during the 3rd quarter helped them increase their lead to the largest it would be all game long at 18 points. The 4th quarter was the only frame that the Bruins outscored the Knights, but it was only by 4 as the Knights were able to hold on for the win.
This game was a true team effort for the Knights, as 4 players scored in the double-digits and 8 different players scored at some point during the game. Lyric Shallow once again led the Knights with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Graduating seniors Lexxus Bell and Alyah Pereira each scored 12 points with Bell adding 4 rebounds and a steal and Pereira adding 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. 1st year guard Emma Vendittelli had one of her best games so far with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
Head coach of the Knights, Allie Columbus, is "very happy with last night's performance". When asked to expand, she added: "that was an important game for us, and to win it at home and on senior night, was even better". She went on to say "our offensive success came from sharing the ball, and we really picked things up defensively".
The Knights hope to carry this momentum into the next one as they travel to Conestoga on Saturday, February 7th to take on the Condors. Tipoff is scheduled for 1pm and you can watch the game through ocaalive.com.
For more information on the Knights' teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca
