Kennedy leads Saints to 66-54 win over Niagara

By Taylor Busch

Staff Reporter

 

The St. Clair College women’s basketball team defeated the Niagara College Knights at the St. Clair College SportsPlex in Windsor on Feb. 15.

Forward Shannon Kennedy led the team scoring 23 points and secured the team’s home court advantage for the opening round of the play-offs.

After trailing at the half and again in the third quarter, the Saints scored 26 points in the final frame to earn the win.

“I am very pleased, our character showed very strongly in that game,” said Saints head coach Andy Kiss.  “Some things didn’t go our way in the beginning, but I thought that in the fourth quarter our conditioning really showed off and we were able to win that quarter 26-9 so we’re very happy because we needed to win this game.”

The Saints have now secured at least fourth place in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Western Division and will have a shot at third place if they defeat the Fanshawe Falcons Sunday, Feb. 22 at the SportsPlex.

Kiss said Kennedy came through for the team in the final quarter, leading them to the victory.  Last year, she was named most valuable player by the OCAA for Western Ontario and this year, she is currently tied for second in scoring and third for blocking in the province.

“Personally, I feel good and as a team I feel good too,” said Kennedy.  “I’d rather succeed as a team than individually.  As a team if we get, gold I’ll be happy with that.”

Knights head coach Mike Beccaria said his team was tired from playing the Lambton Lions just 12 hours prior.

“This is the third time we’ve played the Saints this year so we know each other very well and we have a bit of a rivalry going on,” said Beccaria.  “But both teams played very well and Shannon was unbelievable at the end. So naturally, we’re a bit disappointed, but we’ll be alright.”

The St. Clair Saints basketball program are hoping to see a large turnout when they kick off their playoff season at home on March 1.