LONDON, Ont. - On Saturday night, the Fanshawe women's basketball team (9-4) defeated the Niagara Knights (8-5) by a final score of 59-43. The win has Fanshawe sitting alone in fourth in the OCAA West Division standings.

Fanshawe jumped out to a 13-4 lead forcing an early timeout for the Knights. Niagara worked the ball inside and slowly chipped away but the Falcons still took a 16-11 lead into the second quarter.

The Falcons came out on fire again and were leading by as many as 13 until a 7-0 run by the Knights brought them within six. Fanshawe continued to play great defence and forced Niagara into a number of turnovers. The Falcons took a 30-22 lead into the break.

Fanshawe's Ali Vlasman took over at the start of the third, with a pair of baskets to push the lead to double digits. Back-to-back three pointers by the Knights cut the Falcons lead to four but again Vlasman took the ball inside and made the Knights pay. After Fanshawe extended the lead to nine, Niagara's Mary Ingribelli hit a big three pointer at the buzzer to close the gap to six with one quarter to play.

The Falcons had fantastic ball movement and were able to push the lead to as many as 16 in large part to their offensive rebounding. Fanshawe would win the game by a final score of 59-43.

Fanshawe's next game takes place on Friday, Jan. 31 at home versus the Redeemer Royals (6-9).  The games starts at 6 p.m.

Source: Fanshawe College