Varsity Update - December 13, 2010
Men's Basketball
In a game featuring big point runs the Niagara Knights downed the Mohawk Mountaineers 84-75 to close out first semester play in OCAA men's basketball. The Knights opened the second half of the game in Welland December 8 with a 24-3 run and a 23 point lead. However, the Mountaineers then went on a 21 point spurt themselves, to trail by only four points. But Niagara closed out with an 11-3 run for the victory. Jermaine De Costa had 17 points for Mohawk, which saw its record slip to 6-3, the same as Niagara. The teams finish the first half of the season tied for third place in the West Region.
"It was a very disappointing loss. We had a chance to finish the semester in a great position and let it slip away, said Mohawk head coach Brian Jonker. "It doesn't change our goals, but it shows we have a lot of improving to do to accomplish them. We are looking forward to the challenge."
Women's Basketball
Mohawk played well for a good portion of the game, but couldn't hold on, in a 59-50 loss to Niagara in women's basketball December 8 in Welland. The visitors led most for a good portion of the contest, but Niagara would not be denied. Casey Boggs led the Mountaineers with 15 points. Morgan Taylor added 12.
Niagara went to the break with a 6-1 record, while Mohawk fell to 1-6.
"We led through most of the first half, but had one bad stretch in the second half where we let them get ahead by 14, said Mountaineers' head coach Kevin Duffy. "To the credit of our girls, they battled back and we got it to four with 1:50 left to play, but we just couldn't make it all the way. We shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers and missed many open looks throughout the game. When you play a team like Niagara, who can score, you can't afford to miss those type of shots. I was really proud of the way our girls battled back, added Duffy. "They showed a lot of resilience, but in college ball, you can't afford to allow a team to get up by that much. Its too draining to make a long run and sustain it to the end."
