KINGSTON, Ont. - For the first time since the 2009-10 season, the St. Lawrence Vikings men's basketball team was able to defeat the Algonquin College Thunder, 84-67, extend their winning streak to six games, and move into a tie for fourth overall in the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) east division with the 8-4 Centennial College Colts.
"Even though we had a late game last night, the guys looked great today," said SLC head coach Barry Smith. "We had some players that logged big minutes tonight, and did a great job of keeping the energy up against Algonquin."
It didn't take long for the Vikings to gain a lead, quickly growing to 20-11 with still over three minutes of play left in the first quarter. When compared to their performance against La Cité last night, SLC was looking far more confident and focused on the court, playing very aggressive defence while making smart decisions on offence.
The Thunder came storming back in the second quarter to come within just six points of tying the Vikings. That's when Andrew Dawkins recorded five straight points that SLC rallied behind and began to restore their lead, eventually building a 43-30 lead at halftime.
The third quarter had a slower pace to it than the first half, but SLC stuck with their game plan and continued to ride their 16-point lead over the Thunder.
In the final quarter, the focus shifted from not just beating Algonquin, but beating them by at least 14 points.
"I've lost a few playoff spots because of point differentials," said Smith. "Having lost to them by 14 earlier this season, we had to win by at least 15 to win the tiebreaker, should we find ourselves in one at the end of the year."
Calling a few timeouts towards the end of the game, the strategy paid off as the Vikings built a 17-point lead that they were able to hang onto, despite Algonquin having possession in the dying seconds and electing to not to take a three-point shot.
Donald Gibson and Jaz Bains led the way for SLC, scoring 23 and 21 points each in the victory.
The Vikings will now go on a three game road trip, starting with Seneca College on Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. Then will face George Brown College the next day at 3 p.m., and then Loyalist College on Jan. 31. The next home game for SLC is against Durham College on Feb. 4.
Source: St. Lawrence College