ANCASTER, ON - The Redeemer Royals men's basketball team put together a four quarter performance Wednesday night at the Redeemer Athletic Centre but ultimately fell 94–83 to the Niagara Knights in an OCAA West matchup with significant playoff implications. The game featured nine ties and thirteen lead changes, reflecting the back-and-forth intensity before Niagara created separation late in the fourth quarter.

Redeemer came out firing, outscoring Niagara 23–19 in the opening frame and showcasing crisp ball movement, confident shooting, and balanced offensive production. However, a strong second quarter and a dominant third-quarter push from the Knights shifted momentum, forcing the Royals to play from behind over the final 10 minutes.

Despite the result, Redeemer saw several standout individual performances, none more notable than the return of Parker Davis, who made an immediate impact in his first game back from an extended injury. Davis poured in 19 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and provided a steady offensive presence that Redeemer has missed over the past stretch.

Armeen Fazelipour continued his stellar form, posting a team-high 24 points along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and a block in 27 minutes. The fifth-year forward was efficient around the rim and delivered timely scoring throughout the contest, keeping Redeemer within striking distance during key stretches.

The Royals also benefited from strong bench production, led by Thomaz Barbosa, who contributed 11 points on 4–10 shooting. Barbosa sparked multiple runs with his pace, defensive disruption, and ability to generate offense off the bench, helping Redeemer outscore Niagara 33–30 in bench points.

Kaiden King-Stewart rounded out Redeemer's top performers with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 25 minutes. His activity on the glass contributed to the Royals' 31 total rebounds on the night.

As a team, Redeemer shot a solid 70 percent from the free-throw line and continued to demonstrate they are a team no one wants to face in the opening round of playoff action in a few weeks time. However, Niagara's 29-point third quarter ultimately proved too much to overcome.

With the loss, Redeemer moves to 2–12 on the season but remains locked into a tight OCAA West playoff race.

The Royals now turn their attention to Saturday's matchup at Canadore College, aiming to recreate their dominant November performance, a convincing 100–74 victory over the Panthers. Tip-off is set for January 31 at 6:00 p.m. at the Canadore Education Centre Gymnasium in North Bay.