Women’s Basketball Weary in Welland

Welland, ON – The St. Clair College Women's Basketball team hung with one of the best teams in the province but eventually fell 59-50 to Niagara College at their Simplii Financial Athletic Centre in Welland Saturday afternoon.  The Saints (5-10) will need a win in their final regular season game next weekend to remain in 6^th Place of the OCAA's West Division.

Niagara is the West defensive points against leader, but St. Clair equaled their effort in the early stages resulting in the teams combining for just five field goals as the home team took a 7-6 lead heading to the second quarter.  The Saints then outplayed Niagara moved ahead by six points (23-17) with just over a minute to play in the half but settled for a 25-22 advantage by the break.  Niagara won the third quarter 18-10 to move back in front but St. Clair didn't come undone and fought to a 45-44 lead with six minutes remaining in the game.  The Saints however could only muster five more points down the stretch allowing Niagara to take the victory. 

Neither team was able to convert 29% of their attempts from the floor but St. Clair outshot Niagara 6-3 from deep in addition to outrebounding the much taller lineup 44-35 to stay within striking distance.  Niagara capitalized by scoring 21 points off 20 turnovers by the Saints who were outscored 19-8 off the bench.

St. Clair's Shae-lyn Murphy (Windsor, ON/Holy Names) scored a game high 20 points and notched a double-double with 10 rebounds.  No other Saints reached double figures, but Kaelyn Batten (LaSalle, ON/St. Thomas of Villanova) had 9 points to go with 7 rebounds and Desiree Byrd (Windsor, ON/Holy Names) pulled down 9 rebounds while adding 4 points. 

St. Clair hosts 7^th Place Redeemer University (Ancaster) in their final regular season game on Saturday, Feb. 8^th and the Saints will recognize their graduating players prior to the 6:00pm tip.