OSHAWA, Ont. – The defending champion UNBC Northern Thunderwolves defeated the host Durham Lords 72-67 at the Canadian College Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Championships on Friday.

Missed free throws (just 10 of 22 made) cost Durham down the stretch as did the loss of their key second big offensive weapon, Courtney Small (10 points). He fouled out with eight minutes left – a huge blow to the Lords who went down 60-52 on a pair of Timberwolves buckets right after that.

Midway through the third quarter the Thunderwolves switched to a zone defence and coach Todd Jordan felt this was a big key.

“We played a lot better in the second half. Rob Rodriguez was good on defence.”

CCAA player of the year Inderbir Gill, who scored a game-high 24 points, “played well” after struggling a bit in a loss to Lethbridge Thursday, said his coach.

Saliym Cadogan (11 points) hit a three to keep the Lords in it with 6:40 left.

Durham coach Desmond Rowley was called for a technical a minute later after a couple of calls went against his team. Rodriguez hit one of two foul shots and that made it 66-58 UNBC.

With 3:52 left, Durham’s Mikail McIntosh hit two foul shots to make it 68-60 UNBC. DJ Parks hit one of two free ones a minute later, and it was 68-61 UNBC.

Dennis Stark missed a couple of free throws, and Durham had life with 2:30 left.

But McIntosh missed two free throws himself. OCAA player of the year Eric Smith, held to just 10 points in the game by a stout Thunderwolves defence that collapsed on him all game, sank one of two free throws for the Lords. But Sam Raphael hit one of two at the other end.

Cadogan nailed a key jumper to make it 69-64 UNBC with 1:30 left. Then Tyler McGarrity hit a big one from the top of the key with 51 seconds to go, narrowing the gap to 69-66.

A UNBC pass went off Jesse Smith’s hands with 30 seconds left. Cadogan had an open look at a three, but it bounced off the rim and Thunderwolves Gill was fouled with 18 seconds left.

The Rocky theme blared as Gill stepped to the line and hit one of two for a four-point lead.

Smith drove to the hoop and was fouled, but missed one of two foul shots to leave his team needing a three to tie with 11.6 seconds left.

Gill then hit two key foul shots with nine seconds left, and Parks’ three fell just short as time ran out.

The defending champs and the hosts went toe to toe in the first quarter with UNBC holding a slight advantage. Small was big in the opening stanza, collecting eight points, as the Prince George school’s defence keyed on Durham star Smith in the low post. Durham led 38-34 at halftime.

Mikail McIntosh drove for a 46-41 Durham lead with 6:15 left in the third.

Two foul shots by Rodriguez tied it at 48, then Gill drove for a 50-48 UNBC lead late in the quarter. McGarrity drew a charge and Smith hit from inside, and UNBC held a slim 52-50 lead heading into the final frame.

Small picked up his fourth foul land and had to sit with a full eight minutes left in the third quarter, denying the Lords one of their key weapons. The Lords missed Small big time -- with his smooth, effortless offensive moves and key baskets -- during the second half.

Smith led the OCAA in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 21.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, and was the only player to average a double-double during the regular season. And the Thunderwolves ability to shut him down proved the difference in the end.

Francis Rowe and Raphael added 15 and 11 for the winners.

The result leaves Ontario winless at the nationals, as the Humber Hawks also lost their first two games.

CCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Game One: Vanier (7) defeated NAIT (2) 75-73
Game Two: MSVU (6) defeated Humber (3) 65-56
Game Three: Lethbridge (5) defeated UNBC (4) 81-66
Game Four: VIU (1) defeated Durham (8) 70-61

Friday, March 18, 2011
Bronze Medal Quarterfinal NAIT defeated Humber 83-76
Bronze Medal Quarterfinal – UNBC vs. Durham 72-67
Semi-Final #1 – Vanier vs. MSVU - 6 p.m.
Semi-Final #2 – Lethbridge vs. VIU - 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 19, 2011
Bronze Medal Semi-Final #1 – UNBC vs. TBD - 10 a.m.
Bronze Medal Semi-Final #2 – NAIT vs. TBD - 12 p.m.
7th Place Game – Durham vs. Humber - 2 p.m.
Bronze Medal Game – 6 p.m.
Gold Medal Game – 8 p.m.

Source: Durham College