CIS MEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL 8: Top-seeded Gee-Gees overpower Saskatchewan
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CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE:Â http://english.cis-sic.ca/
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The OUA champion Gee-Gees’ flashy offence – the top ranked in the country this season - was on full display right at the start of the game with a quick three-pointer from second-year guard Johnny Berhanemeskel followed by an alley-oop by Terry Thomas.
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The Huskies responded with back-to-back baskets from beyond the arc from fourth-year forward Dadrian Collins.
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The underdog Huskies, who were voted into the Final 8’s wildcard spot, kept pace with the Gee-Gees in a fast-paced, back and forth opening quarter. A late three-pointer from Huskies Andrew Henry saw the crowd favourites lead 26-22 at the break.
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The fast action continued into the second stanza, the Gee-Gees were able to establish a 10-point lead capped off by a huge two-handed dunk from Thomas. However, the Huskies could not be counted out and they clawed their way back and only trailed by three heading into the half.
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First-team all-Canadian Stephon Lamar, who finished with 15 points and led the Huskies with nine assists, almost tied the game up with a buzzer beater, but the ball rolled around the rim and out sending Ottawa to the dressing room with a 43-40 lead.
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The third frame opened in the same fashion, with the Huskies able to tie the game up, and even take a short-lived lead at 51-50. It did not last however as a pair of big three-pointers by Thomas, who had a game-high 24 points, led to an 11-0 Ottawa run.
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“Obviously I would’ve liked to pull away earlier in the game, but I didn’t think we were particularly sharp early on,” said Gee-Gees head coach James Derouin.
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The Huskies battled back, but the locals took a 67-59 advantage into the final quarter.
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In the fourth, the Gee-Gees proved to be too much to handle as they opened the stanza with an 8-0 run and never looked back. They exploded for 27 points in the frame en route to victory.
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“From the start our game plan was to push the tempo,” said Thomas, who also led the Gee-Gees with nine rebounds was named his team’s player of the game. “We were just trying to outwork them. In the end, we just buckled down to get the victory.”
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It was certainly a battle from downtown as the Gee-Gees knocked down 14 of 33 three-pointers and the Huskies sank 10 of 28 from beyond the arc.
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Third-year forward Matt Forbes led the Huskies with 18 points and 10 rebounds en route to being named his team’s MVP.
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The Gee-Gees advance to face No. 4 Victoria in what will be a battle of the top defence versus top offence in CIS at 8 p.m. Saturday, live on Sportsnet 360. Third-seeded Alberta faces No. 2 and defending champion Carleton in the 6 p.m. semi, also on SN 360.
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“It’s more just a game I’m glad we got over with. We’ll need to be better against Victoria,” Derouin said.
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The Huskies play at 2:30 p.m. in a consolation game against the McGill Redmen.
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STAT LEADERS
ÂBoxscore:Â STATS
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SSK: 22-18-19-14: 73
OTT: 26-17-24-27: 94
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Victoria
Points: Terry Thomas (24), Johnny Berhanemeskel (20), Gabriel Gonthier-Dubue (11)
Rebounds: Terry Thomas (9), Caleb Agada (8)
Assists: Johnny Berhanemeskel (7), Mike L’Africain (7)
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Player of the game:Â Terry Thomas
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Saskatchewan
Points: Matt Forbes (18), Stephon Lamar (15), Andrew Henry (14)Rebounds: Matt Forbes (10), Stephon Lamar (7)
Assists: Stephon lamar (9)
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Player of the game:Â Matt Forbes
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CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE (all times EASTERN TIME)
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Friday, March 7
12:30 Quarter-final 1: Alberta 72, Saint Mary’s 6214:30 Quarter-final 2: Carleton 82, McMaster 64
17:30Â Quarter-final 3: Victoria 63, McGill 54
20:00Â Quarter-final 4: Ottawa 94, Saskatchewan 73
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Saturday, March 8
12:30 Consolation 1: No. 6 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 7 McMaster (www.CIS-SIC.tv)Â14:30 Consolation 2: No. 5 McGill vs. No. 8 Saskatchewan (www.CIS-SIC.tv)Â
18:00 Semifinal 1: No. 3 Alberta vs. No. 2 Carleton (Sportsnet 360 / www.CIS-SIC.tv *)Â
20:00 Semifinal 2: No. 4 Victoria vs. No. 1 Ottawa (Sportsnet 360 / www.CIS-SIC.tv *)Â
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Sunday, March 9
10:30 Bronze (www.CIS-SIC.tv)Â14:00 Final (Sportsnet / www.CIS-SIC.tv *)Â
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* The webcast of all 3 televised games (semifinals & final) will be on pay-per-view basis.
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