The men’s basketball team has had a tough season despite some close scores, with a 3-10 record before Friday’s game.
Due to the strength of the Lakehead University Thunderwolves, the Blues lost, bringing their season to a 3-11 record, which they brought back up to 4-11 after a Saturday night win against the Guelph Gryphons.
Right after the opening tip, forward Kwasi Oti-Awere delivered a mid range jumper, followed by forward Devin Johnson getting fouled on his jump shot.
The Blues established fluidity not only in their offense quickly, but also played great defense early. Manny Sahota established inside position on the defense end for a rebound and he swished it into a three-pointer on the other end.
The Blues continuously attempted long-range jump shots which were unsuccessful, resulting in Lakehead securing long rebounds that they would convert into points.
Out of a timeout, Lakehead started pressuring the ball more and would go on to take time and run offensive sets. The Blues responded by setting up a zone defense, preventing penetration from Lakehead’s point guard, Henry Tan.
Closer to the end of the first half, shooting sniper Julian Clarke shot a few long range jumpers and also got to the free throw line to help the Blues secure a 37-28 lead at the half.
In the second half, the Blues kept the momentum going with great plays on both ends. Starting point guard, rookie Sage Usher, penetrated into the paint with ease and kicked out passes to shooters out on the perimeter.
Usher also got it inside to Devin Johnson who was delivering in the post throughout the game.
After a strong take to the rim by Sahota, Lakehead began to answer each of the Blues’ baskets; this is where things started to get a little out of hand for the Blues.
The fourth quarter began with a 53-46 score favouring the Blues. While Lakehead’s intensity rose, the Blues soon started committing turnovers that would lead to quick easy buckets on the break by Lakehead.
The difference in score started to get closer. Johnson started firing, making a couple of three-pointers to keep the lead.
With less than five minutes to go, Lakehead got their first lead of the game when the score was 59-58. Clarke and Johnson made three-pointers, but for every three, Lakehead would anwer back with a three on their offensive end.
Usher got the lead back for the Blues with a beautiful spin move towards the rim in a half-court set with under two minutes remaining.
Johnson and Clarke made baskets any way they could to keep the lead, but defensive intensity by Lakehead resulted in 24 second shot clock violation turnover. Lakehead scored 27 fourth quarter points.
In the final stretch, Lakehead got to the rim delivering floaters and also getting to the line to secure a 73-70 lead. With 19 seconds left, the ball was given to Johnson in an attempt to swish a three. Johnson misfired; Sahota secured the rebound and tried to put it back in an attempt to get fouled but did not finish, and time ran out.
With the final score of 73-70, The Blues would fall to a record of 3-11 at the bottom of the OUA’s East division.
Johnson was the player of the game for the Blues as he led the game with 23 points on 17 shots and nine rebounds. Johnson also scored five of six attempts from the foul line. Clarke followed with 17 points and five assists, and Oti-Awere notched eight points.
