No. 5 nationally ranked Mohawk Mountaineers men's basketball will be back on the court on Saturday afternoon as they host the Niagara Knights for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
Admission to games is free for everyone.
The game will also be available to watch through OCAA Live.
The Headline:
Teams will be playing with a chip on their shoulders when facing the Mountaineers through the second half after Mohawk produced an 8-1 record in 2022 and sit first in the OCAA West Division.
It has been the offense of the Mountaineers so far that has led them to their success. Currently they are the best offensive team in the OCAA, averaging 103.2 points per game, more than six-points better than the next team. From the field they are shooting 46.3 per cent and 36.4 per cent from three.
The Matchup:
While Mohawk comes into the contest with a league-best record, Niagara has produced a 5-4 record thus far and have lost their last two games, including against the Mountaineers.
Mohawk's strong offense will be up against the OCAA's fifth best defence. The Knights hold their opponents to 76.8 points per game and they are the seventh best rebounding team.
What Happened Last Time:
These two teams had one of the best finishes in the OCAA this season when they last played on November 24. The Mountaineers came out on top with a 92-90 victory after entering the final quarter down 11.
Mohawk began to chip away early in the fourth, but they were still down nine with 1:47 left in the game. The Mountaineers would make eight of their 17 threes for the game in the final frame and come away with the victory.
Daniel Graham (Hamilton, ON) had 30-points for Mohawk and Stefan Anisko (Haldimand County, ON) scored 27. The Knights had two 20-point scorers in Kennan Larmand and Delroy Grandison, each scoring 21 and 20, respectively.
Who to Watch For:
Anisko will be a key piece for Mohawk in this game and for the remainder of the season. The guard has been one of the best rookies in the OCAA this season, averaging 20.7 points per game on 51.4 per cent shooting.
Grandison of the Knights will be someone the Mountaineers will need to watch for. Along with his ability to score, he leads the OCAA with 11 rebounds per game so Mohawk will need to box him out.
What's Next:
Action continues in the DBARC for the Mountaineers as they will host the Humber Hawks on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m.
