March 2, 2013
LAKEHEAD CLAIMS OUA MEN' S BASKETBALL BRONZE, STAMPS TICKET TO FINAL 8
TORONTO - With an Ontario University Athletics bronze medal and a berth the CIS Men’s Basketball – Final 8 on the line, the Lakehead Thunderwolves and Windsor Lancers both arrived at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens ready to play. In the end, Lakehead walked away with a 78-64 win in the bronze medal game, presented by Recharge with Milk.
Looking to make sure they left Toronto with at least one win, the Thunderwolves came out quickly. A combination of tight defence and accurate three-point shooting propelled Lakehead to a 19-12 lead after the opening 10 minutes. In the frame, Lakehead shot 58.3% including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, while holding the Lancers to 27.8% from the floor. The tenacious Lakehead defence was able to hold OUA West player of the year Lien Phillip scoreless, while Thunderwolves guard Joseph Jones was two-for-three from long range in lifting his team to a 16-5 run to end the quarter.
Phillip woke up in the second quarter, collecting nine points, but the teams traded points through the frame and went into the half with Lakehead leading 34-29.
The tide began to swing after halftime. Lakehead came out running, starting the quarter on a 14-7 run to stretch their lead to 12 points midway through the frame. Dwayne Harvey came alive in the third for the Thunderwolves, knocking down eight points in the quarter to leave them up 11 heading into the fourth.
Seeing a win in the distance Lakehead pushed the pace and opened the quarter on a 12-4 run. Sitting up 71-50, Thunderwolves head coach Scott Morrison and his troops were content to trade baskets the rest of the way, en route to a 78-64 final score.
Jones was named Porter Airlines Player of the Game. He carried his hot hand from early in the game to a game-high 23 points on eight of 15 shooting. Dwayne Harvey chipped in 14 and Ben Johnson had 14 for the winners.
"I was really pleased with how the guys played tonight," said Morrison. "We're probably going to be the underdogs heading to Ottawa, but that's OK with us. This group of guys lead the country in heart, toughness and playing as a team. For our seniors, this will be the fourth consecutive season that we compete at nationals, and regardless of what happens next week, no one can take that away from them."
Phillip finished the game with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Windsor. Rotimi Osuntola Jr. and Ismar Seferagic had 13 and 10 points respectively in the loss.
With the win, Lakehead will join the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens in representing Ontario University Athletics at the CIS Men's Basketball - Final 8 in Ottawa, hosted by the Ravens.
Looking to make sure they left Toronto with at least one win, the Thunderwolves came out quickly. A combination of tight defence and accurate three-point shooting propelled Lakehead to a 19-12 lead after the opening 10 minutes. In the frame, Lakehead shot 58.3% including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, while holding the Lancers to 27.8% from the floor. The tenacious Lakehead defence was able to hold OUA West player of the year Lien Phillip scoreless, while Thunderwolves guard Joseph Jones was two-for-three from long range in lifting his team to a 16-5 run to end the quarter.
Phillip woke up in the second quarter, collecting nine points, but the teams traded points through the frame and went into the half with Lakehead leading 34-29.
The tide began to swing after halftime. Lakehead came out running, starting the quarter on a 14-7 run to stretch their lead to 12 points midway through the frame. Dwayne Harvey came alive in the third for the Thunderwolves, knocking down eight points in the quarter to leave them up 11 heading into the fourth.
Seeing a win in the distance Lakehead pushed the pace and opened the quarter on a 12-4 run. Sitting up 71-50, Thunderwolves head coach Scott Morrison and his troops were content to trade baskets the rest of the way, en route to a 78-64 final score.
Jones was named Porter Airlines Player of the Game. He carried his hot hand from early in the game to a game-high 23 points on eight of 15 shooting. Dwayne Harvey chipped in 14 and Ben Johnson had 14 for the winners.
"I was really pleased with how the guys played tonight," said Morrison. "We're probably going to be the underdogs heading to Ottawa, but that's OK with us. This group of guys lead the country in heart, toughness and playing as a team. For our seniors, this will be the fourth consecutive season that we compete at nationals, and regardless of what happens next week, no one can take that away from them."
Phillip finished the game with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Windsor. Rotimi Osuntola Jr. and Ismar Seferagic had 13 and 10 points respectively in the loss.
With the win, Lakehead will join the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens in representing Ontario University Athletics at the CIS Men's Basketball - Final 8 in Ottawa, hosted by the Ravens.
