By: Jarrett Matthews
Reporter 

The Mohawk Mountaineers women's basketball team fell 79-74 to the Redeemer Royals in their first regular season game of the year.

Jerald Greenidge, Mountaineers assistant coach, says that his team is just knocking the rust off after a long pause in competition. Mohawk last played on Dec. 4 when they concluded their exhibition schedule.

"Overall, you know the impact would largely be just the conditioning and getting familiar with the game again," Greenidge said. "You kind of get out of sorts with the little things when you're in lockdown again and not practicing as much."

In the first half, the Royals shot nearly 50 per cent from the field while Mohawk shot just under 37 per cent. Redeemer's sharpshooting earned them a seven-point lead at half-time.

The foul calls weren't going Mohawk's way for the majority of the game, but the Mountaineers stayed the course and eventually would claw their way back into the game.

"Just keep playing," was the message to the team, Greenidge said. "Force the refs to make a call, that's all you can control."

At one point in the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers fell behind by 18 points but rallied back to make it a five-point game. Mohawk came up just short of a great comeback but showed a lot of resiliency in a game they were nearly out of.

"I thought our ladies were really engaged, they didn't give up (and) their heads weren't down. They knew the game was within reach," Greenidge saids.

Celina Chung (Oakville, ON) was Mohawk's hot hand as she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards and added three assists. Point guard Donna-Marie Borja (Calgary, AB) was also key for the Mountaineers scoring 19 points with five three's, six rebounds and six assists. Forward Tianna Stys (St. Catharines, ON) contributed with 15 points and six rebounds.

The game also featured the return of Mohawk's 2018/19 OCAA All-Rookie, Beth Minielly (London, ON), who recorded five points.

The Mountaineers will play their next game at the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre on Feb. 16 against the Sheridan Bruins. Mohawk beat Sheridan twice in exhibition play.

At this time no spectators will be allowed for all Mountaineers home games. Every game will be streamed on the OCAA Live platform.