ROYALS EXTEND WIN STREAK WITH VICTORY OVER KNIGHTS
Curtiss Straatsma
The Redeemer Royals Men's Basketball team continued their hot play Tuesday night in front of their home crowd. Redeemer defeated the 3-1 Niagara Knights, 84-79 for their 4th win of the season.
The Royals came into their early week match having defeated the Conestoga Condors and Canadore Panthers the week prior. Redeemer road that momentum into Tuesday's match. From the opening tip, the energy level was high, and anyone could tell it was going to be a battle in the Redeemer Athletic Centre.
The Knights took control of the first quarter outscoring the Royals 24-20. The Royals knew it was time to step on the gas and clawed their way narrowly into the lead, 44-41, by the end of the first half. For the rest of the game, the Royals did not relinquish the lead, but the Knights were never far behind. Their constant pressure forced the Royals to not let up as the game could change at any moment. With 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Knights found themselves within one possession after a jumper from Niagara's Delroy Grandison. Redeemer's
Foster Brown added a free throw to force a two-possession score difference which seemed to be just enough to keep the Knights at bay. The Royals locked in the victory with a final score of 84-79.
Redeemer saw another team scoring effort this season, as 5 players recorded in the double digits.
Will Dykstra led the charge with 15 total points, followed close behind by
Isaiah Brinkley with 14 total points.
Foster Brown and rookie
Alex Naovarath both contributed 13 points, while third-year
Goran Veselinovic rounded out the 5 top scorers with 12 total points. Niagara's top scorer was Kennan Larmand with 19 total points.
Redeemer will close out their home stand and look to continue their winning streak this Friday as they take on the Fanshawe Falcons at 8 pm.
