February 3, 2020, WELLAND – The Niagara College men's basketball team managed to go 1-1 in their last two games after sliding into a four game losing streak before Saturday's OT win over the Fanshawe Falcons.
Thursday night saw the Knights travel to Humber to meet the red-hot Humber Hawks, who came into the game with an eleven game winning streak.
Both teams came out strong in the first quarter with each team making over half of their shot attempts. Humber would end the first quarter with a one-point lead, 26-25.
Things went sideways for the Knights in the second quarter, allowing Humber to cruise to 33 points and take a commanding 18-point lead to head into the half, 58-41.
Both teams matched each other in the third, each dropping 27 points to head into the final frame with Niagara still trailing 85-67.
Despite a strong fourth quarter from the Knights, their early deficit woes proved to be too much and the Hawks went on to cruise to a 105-97 win.
"We are in a tough stretch in our schedule and Humber in their gym is always difficult," said head coach Phil Mosley. "We matched their intensity and level of play to start the game and finish the game, but fell victim to a very poor second quarter and were unable to make up the difference. Johnnie Richardson played arguably one of his best games in his career, and is emerging as one of the top guards in the OCAA."
Leading the Knights in scoring was Rahim Bardi with a season high 27, and Johnnie Richardson with 25.
Saturday the Knights returned home for a tilt against the Fanshawe Falcons (9-7) looking for a much-needed win to secure a playoff spot and snap their four game losing streak.
Fanshawe led through the first quarter 21-18 before Niagara stormed back in the second to outscore the Falcons 20-14 and take over the lead before the half at 38-35.
The second half saw both teams giving no room for error matching shot-for shot right down to the wire. Niagara would go on to score 13 in the fourth while holding Fanshawe to just seven to even things up at 77 and force an overtime period.
Niagara would prevail, earning a much needed 90-82 win over the Falcons to snap their losing streak and further their chances in a final push for a playoff spot.
"This was a very big win for our guys at this point in the season," said head coach Phil Mosley. " A total team effort as players are starting to find their confidence in themselves and each other. We need to take this momentum into our next two home games and finish the season strong."
The now 5-10 men's basketball team will prepare for their home-and-home series with Sault College (2-14) this weekend, where they will look to add two more wins to their record in their push for playoffs. Tip-of is set for 8:00 P.M. Saturday.
