WELLAND, ONT. – The Villa Maria College Men's Basketball team opened its season at Niagara College on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Vikings outscored the Knights 53-36 in the second half but fell by four points.
 
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Villa 81, Niagara 85
LOCATION: Welland, Ont. (Canada) | Simplii Financial Center
TEAM RECORDS: Villa (0-1), Niagara College (2-0)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Knights got out to a fast start and 24-12 lead after the first quarter.
• After surrendering a 12-point deficit in the first quarter, Villa relinquished a 9-point margin in the second quarter.
• The momentum swung in the third quarter after the Vikings outscored the Knights, 18-15.
• The fourth quarter was Villa's best with 35 points, the most by either team in any quarter of play.
• Kei Clarke scored 16 of his team-best 23 points in the fourth-quarter rally.
• Nathaniel Parker wasn't far behind Clark in scoring with 21 points and just missing a double-double after adding a team-best nine assists.
• Emil Hernandez finished with 14 points and a team-best three steals.
• Rounding out the team's double-digit scorers with 10 points each were Jaylin Gadley and Zack Phillips, with the latter registering a double-double after adding a team-best 10 boards and two blocks.
• The Vikings shot 44.4 % from beyond the arc and were led by Clarke, who went 5-for-8.
• Villa out-rebounded Niagara, 35-30.
• Each team shot the same from the free throw line at 58.6%.

 
UP NEXT:
The Vikings host Redeemer University in the team's home season-opener on Oct. 17 with tip-off set for 4 PM.