OSHAWA, Ont. - The Durham College men's basketball team pulled out an 93-89 overtime victory against the Georgian Grizzlies Friday night at the CRWC.
In the closing minutes of overtime with the game tied at 89-89, Georgian's Justin Mitchell had a wide-open three-point attempt off a fast break, but the long range shot would fall just short. Durham's Aron Naim (Paris, Ont.) hauled in the rebound and would wisely launch a pass down court to Eric Smith (Ajax, Ont.). Smith would shake off a defender and put in a lay-up, giving the Lords a two point lead with 9.9 seconds left on the clock.
Looking for their second game-tying buzzer beater of the night, Georgian would attempt one last lay-up off the inbound pass. The ball would rim out and Durham would storm down the court as leading scorer Ajahmo Clarke (Ajax, Ont.) drained a lay-up to seal the victory.
With the win, Durham has won two straight games and four of their last five to improve to 5-7. With 10 points in the standings, the Lords are now tied for the final playoff position in the OCAA East region with the La Cite Coyotes.
Trailing 80-78 in regulation, Georgian's Teq Zwarych forced overtime with a buzzer beating lay-up coming off a rebound.
Clarke would finish the night one assist shy of a triple-double as he had 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Smith and Saliym Cadogan (Toronto, Ont.) would each have 19 points while freshman Brandon Heath (Markham, Ont.) had 14 points, eight assists and four steals.
Mitchell had a career night for Georgian with 33 points, as he went 13-for-28 from the field.
Intensity was at an all-time high in the CRWC with the team's trading baskets throughout the game. Both sidelines were also very animated down the stretch and in the overtime period with every call having an impact on the tightly contested game.
Durham had a strong shooting performance as they were 51 per cent from the floor. The Lords also moved the ball around efficiently as they recorded 31 assists compared to just 18 by Georgian.
After going 2-0 this week with wins over Georgian and George Brown, the Lords will prepare for an important road trip next weekend when they take on the Algonquin Thunder (11-0) and La Cite Coyotes (5-5).
Source: Durham College
OSHAWA, Ont. - One team had a tough start and one had a tough finish but in both cases it was trouble for the Georgian Grizzlies men's and women's basketball teams when they travelled to face the Durham Lords on Friday night in Oshawa.
The Grizzlies men's team put together a good road game but the Lords were able to hang around and then strike late against Georgian.
In a game that featured 13 lead changes the Grizzlies hoped to have the win leading by five points late in the fourth quarter but Durham staged a late rally and eventually take the lead.
Georgian responded by hitting a late two pointer to send the game to overtime with an 80-80 score.
In overtime both teams continued to battle but in the end Durham pulled ahead at the end to take the win 93-89.
Georgian's Justin Mitchell (Newmarket) had a season-high 33 points in the loss as the Grizzlies record fell to 6-5 on the season.
The Grizzlies women's team struggled out of the gate against the Lords and were unable to find their scoring touch as they fell 64-42.
Durham got out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter and Georgian spent the rest of the game playing catch-up as they shot under 30 per cent for the game.
Katie Wiggins (Belleville) and Erial Barnard (Collingwood) each had a team-high nine points for the Grizzlies.
Both the Grizzlies men's and women's teams will continue their road trip when they face the Fleming Knights Saturday afternoon in Peterborough.
Source: Georgian College
Photo Credit: Al Fournier