(London, Ontario) – On Saturday afternoon, the Fanshawe Women's Basketball team (1-3) was defeated by the Niagara Knights (3-2) by a score of 79-56.

Within the first two minutes of the game, Shauntee Centen (London, ON) drove along the baseline and found Sidney Deleary (Chippewas of the Thames) in the middle of the key and got the Falcons on the board. First-year Deleary went on to score the first six points for the Birds. As the quarter continued, the Knights went on a run and led 30-10 after the first quarter.

The first bucket for the Falcons in the second quarter was beautifully executed. Taya Spears (London, ON) made a great cut to the basket and was rewarded by her teammate Chloe Meldrum (St. Thomas) for the easy two. A few possessions later, Alison Cotton (London, ON) drop-stepped to the basket and finished with a hand in her face to increase Fanshawe's score. Near the end of the quarter, Cotton recorded an and-one and gathered her own rebound off the free throw to score two more. Cotton had nine points in the quarter. Beating the buzzer, Tamara Smith (Sarnia, ON) made a three-pointer to get everyone on their feet. The Falcons trailed 52-27 after the first half.

In the third, the Birds displayed tremendous hustle and effort. Deleary recorded an offensive rebound for Fanshawe and swung the ball to Centen who assisted Spears on a made jump shot. Later, first-year Edith Eseme (Milton, ON) and Joanna Smith (Simcoe, ON) scored in back-to-back possessions. With ten seconds left in the quarter, Layla Mackenzie (Camlachie, ON) sunk a long field goal which gave the Birds the edge over the Knights in the quarter. The Knights led 67-43 to start the fourth.

In the final quarter, Spears assisted Cotton who rattled in a shot behind the arc. The Birds continued to fight hard, but despite their efforts, they fell 79-56 to the visitors.  

The Falcons look to bounce back and add a win to their record against the Redeemer Royals (0-5) in Ancaster, ON on Wednesday, November 15 at 5:00 p.m.