SCARBOROUGH, ONT. - The third quarterfinal game of the 2017 Belairdirect OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) Men's Basketball Championship was a battle between the third seeded Centennial Colts from the East Division and the second seeded Niagara Knights from the West Division.
What a remarkable turnaround it has been for the Colts! After finishing last in the OCAA East (6-14) in the previous season, Centennial has improved its record by an incredible nine games to finish 15-5 this season. Although they earned an automatic berth in this year's OCAA Championship due to playing host, the Colts earned their way into the big dance, finishing third in the OCAA East.
Second year forward Marko Curic has enjoyed a great season, leading the Colts in scoring (17.3 ppg), rebounding (9.3 rpg) and blocked shots (2.6 bpg). Curic is also a First Team All Star in the East Division. Second year guard Josh Mcfarlene is also enjoying a stellar season as he was named a Second Team All Star in the East Division and leads Centennial with 6.7 apg and 3.2 spg.
For Niagara, they have enjoyed an incredible season as well, going 13-3 and finishing second in the OCAA West. Guard Van Hutchinson Jr. (#11) leads the team in scoring with 14.8 ppg and is a First Team All Star while guard Lequan Hylton (#7) is a Second Team All Star and averaged 14.6 ppg.
This game was a thriller from start to finish. In a game that had neither team leading by double digits, it was the Knights who prevailed, 70-66, over the Colts.
It was incredibly close in all stats between Centennial and Niagara. The biggest difference maker? Rebounding, as the Knights outrebounded the Colts, 61-46. Niagara limited Centennial to 29.3 per cent from the field and forced them into 20 turnovers.
As for Centennial, they played their hearts out in the loss. They forced the Knights into 25 turnovers and had five more assists (16-11).
The hosts were off to a fast start in front of a raucous crowd as they were up 8-2 four minutes into the game. Niagara fought their way back, on a late 6-0 run to go up 17-15 after the first quarter.
The second quarter had Niagara going up four early. Now it was the Colts' turn to fight back, as they went up 30-26 after a three pointer from veteran guard Alex (AC) Hagoriles (#11). Niagara, however, pulled off five straight points, capped off by a late three from guard Lequan Hylton (#7), to go into halftime up one (31-30).
After the Colts went up three early in the third quarter, Niagara went on a 6-0 run to lead 41-38. Hagoriles then hit another three pointer but the Knights then reeled off seven straight points after that to end the quarter, up 48-41.
Niagara took the biggest lead of the game (eight) early. In a sign of things to come, the Colts scored six straight points, capped off by a three point play from forward Malique Hyde (#33).
After that sequence, it was a nailbiting, back-and-forth affair, capped off by a game tying layup from Curic. Missed opportunities from both teams led to this game being decided in overtime.
In the extra frame, both teams were, once again, going back and forth. Centennial went up one after a crazy three pointer from Curic. However, Niagara finally pulled away with five straight points, with a dagger three from Knights guard DJ Morrison (#21) that decided the game and broke the hearts of Colts fans.
Three players scored in double figures for Niagara, with Hutchinson Jr. leading with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Hylton and forward Jordan Wilson (#8) had 10 points each while Morrison led the team with four steals.
Four players scored in double figures for the Colts, with Curic leading all scorers with 20 points, while also having a game high 15 rebounds, six blocks, and five steals. Hagoriles had 17 points on five three pointers while Hyde had 11 points. Second year forward Paul (LC) Walwyn (#20) capped off the Colts scoring with 10 points while Mcfarlene led Centennial with nine assists.