The Guelph Nighthawks got their first win of the season Monday night, rallying in the fourth quarter to down the Ottawa BlackJacks 90-87 at a crowd-free Sleeman Centre.
Both teams are now 1-4 on the season.
Cat Barber clinched the win hitting a free throw that gave the Nighthawks the target score of 90 points. The target score is an unusual rule adopted by the Canadian Elite Basketball League that sees a 'target score' established with four minutes left in the third quarter. The first team to hit the target wins the game.
Guelph entered the fourth quarter trailing Ottawa 69-63. But an effective zone defence and a couple of huge three pointers down the stretch by Barber and Kimbal Mackenzie saw them take over the lead shortly after the target score had been established.
Barber led Guelph with 24 points and Chad Brown had 11. Brown also led the team with 10 rebounds before fouling out late in the game.
Nick Ward led Ottawa with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
The Nighthawks play on the road against Fraser Valley in British Columbia on Wednesday then in Saskatoon against the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Friday.
On Monday, July 19, they play at the Sleeman Centre and up to 1,000 fans will be allowed in to watch the game.
