NORTH YORK, Ont. – For 20 minutes, it was one of the best match-ups to date at the 2013 belairdirect OCAA Men's Basketball Championship. The final 20 minutes saw the Algonquin Thunder take their game to the next level as they defeated the Humber Hawks 76-65 to keep their season alive for at least one more game.
The evenly matched teams exchanged baskets throughout the first quarter with neither team able to sustain any momentum. Algonquin was led by Lansani Kone who had six points in the quarter. Kone was countered by Ashly July who had six of his own, making a free throw, two pointer and a shot from beyond the arc. Free throws were an issue for the Thunder in the opening quarter, shooting just 1-of-5. Algonquin led going into the second quarter 16-13.
The Hawks looked to erase the early deficit and did so, thanks to the multiple trips to the free throw line in the quarter. Humber attempted 10 shots from the charity stripe, making six, to pull even and eventually take a one-point lead into halftime 31-30. Ryan Ejim, Matthew Marshall and July each had six points for Humber. Algonquin was led by Kone's eight and six from Jordan Scott and Dut Dut.
Coming out of the half, the Thunder showed a hunger which was missing in the first half. Algonquin showed that hunger on a missed shot by Nehemiah Campbell. Dut beat two defenders attempting to rebound the ball and while in the air, tipped the ball back into the net. One of the few highlights for the Hawks in the quarter was a nice hook shot in the lane by Marshall. The Thunder swarmed the Hawks throughout, dominating the third quarter as they took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter, 56-46.
Trailing by 10, the Hawks looked to chip away at the deficit. The Hawks played more aggressively, leading to back-to-back steals in the opening minute. The second steal led a basket and successful free throw by Ryan Cook. OCAA Rookie of the Year Tyrone Dickson pulled the Hawks within five at 58-53, but that was the closest Humber would get. Algonquin stretched the lead back to 10 at 68-58 before a three-point play by Scott put the game out of reach.
The Thunder had five players score in double figures in Lawrence (17), Garnet Blais (14), Scott (11), Kone (10) and Campbell (10). Blais also added a game-high 16 rebounds in being named Player of the Game.
Humber's Player of the Game Marshall was tops with 15 points and eight rebounds along with 14 from July and 13 by Dickson. Gibson Eduful had four steals for the Hawks.
The Thunder advance to play Fanshawe on Saturday at 9 a.m. in the bronze medal semi-final while Humber's season comes to an end.
Source: Seneca College