Two university basketball rivals will battle once again Saturday on the biggest stage in Niagara.<\/p>\n
The Brock Badgers men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball teams will take on the Ryerson Rams in a doubleheader at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines Saturday, Nov. 17. The 2-3 Badgers women will face the undefeated 5-0 Rams at 6 p.m. while the 4-1 Badgers men will face the 5-0 Rams men\u2019s team at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
Badgers men\u2019s head coach Madhav Trivedi says it will be a good test for his team against the No. 2 team in Canada.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re playing one of the best teams in the country on home soil, so it\u2019s going to be exciting,\u201d said Trivedi. \u201cWhen you play in a bigger venue, that college hoops atmosphere really comes out. Brock University and this event is proof of how far we\u2019ve come in Canada with university basketball. The fans from Brock and the fans Ryerson brings with them are tremendous for our sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Rams lead the OUA in field goal percentage (52.1 per cent), rebounds (47.2 per game) and points per game (95.6). Brock is right behind Ryerson in all of these categories and the Badgers lead the league in three-point percentage (39.5 per cent).<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery game we play is important. It\u2019s an opportunity to for us to get better,\u201d said Trivedi. \u201cWe get to see where we measure up every game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Badgers lineup consists of a balanced scoring attack made up of Johneil Simpson, Cassidy Ryan, Tyler Brown and sophomore Daniel Cayer. Ryerson is led by senior guard JV Mukama and sophomore forward Tanor Ngom.<\/p>\n
The women will also have a big test against the Rams after winning back-to-back games on the road last weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to playing in an unbelievable venue. I would like our players to take in as much of the day and game as possible,\u201d said women\u2019s head coach Mike Rao. \u201cWe are very fortunate to have this opportunity. We\u2019ll put forth our best effort and that\u2019s all I can ask.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Rams will be challenged in defending Brock\u2019s dynamic guard Melissa Tatti, who is fourth in the OUA with 19.6 points per game, and rebound machine Courtney McPherson (7.6 rebounds per game).<\/p>\n