KNIGHTS LOCK UP FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT WITH WIN OVER MOHAWK
February 23, 2020…WELLAND – The Niagara College Knights men's basketball team finished their final week of OCAA regular season action with hopes of securing the final playoff spot in the OCAA West Division.
The Knights were heading into the week sitting in the final slot with two games at hand with Redeemer and Mohawk. In order to control their destiny, the Knights needed a win out of at least one of their final two games.
Wednesday's nights match-up with Redeemer was no easy task for the struggling Knights coming up against the top team in the OCAA West Division. The Royals had lost just one of their last 10 game heading into Wednesday's game.
Wednesday's final home game also served as senior's night for two graduating Knights; Lequan Hylton and Rahim Bardi.
Bardi spent two seasons with the Knights, will Hylton donned the blue and white for four seasons.
Unfortunately, for the Knights, The Royals would spoil the evening of celebration, cruising to a 91-70 win.
The loss left the Knights with just one more game to lock up the eighth and final playoff spot on Saturday's game at Mohawk.
Not wanting to rely on other OCAA West opponent's results to secure them a spot, Niagara entered Saturday's game at Mohawk with the determination to get the job done to extend their season.
The Knights came out firing on all cylinders with a sold offensive and defensive effort to hold off the Mountaineers for an 88-77 win, and a trip to the post-season.
"This was an outstanding team performance in our last regular season game," said head coach Phil Mosley. "Our team defence was very solid and the offensive contributions made by Lequan, Rahim and rookie, Reese Radobenko allowed us to seal the victory. We came out in the second half and played with heart and intelligence to hold off a late Mohawk surge. We will prepare this week for our playoff game at George Brown next Saturday.
The Knights punched their ticket to post-season, with a OCAA cross-over playoff game against the top team in the East in George Brown. The Huskies finished with a 17-3 record this season, and will host the Knights for a Saturday afternoon tilt for a chance to head to OCAA Championship hosted by Lambton College March 7-9th.
