THUNDER BAY – Lakehead managed to finish off the game strong on Friday evening, winning 80-68 over the Winnipeg Wesmen. The pre-game show featured the OUA championship banner presentation, accented by a sincere thank you address by graduate and now assistant coach Jamie Searle. Following that, Winnipeg came storming out of the gate, intent on de-throning the OUA champs with a 21-15 first quarter barrage.
Lakehead managed to bounce back to cut the deficit to 3 at half time, 38-35. After tying the game at 51 going into the fourth quarter, Lakehead showed its true colors knocking down outside shots, compliments of Brendan King, Venzal Russell and Ben Johnson, who rang up the scoreboard and delighted fans. At the other end of the court, Yoosrie Salhia was patrolling the key, blocking 2 shots in the fourth quarter and finishing the game with 9 rebounds. Russell keyed the offense for the Pack, finishing with 30 points, including a 3 pointer at the final buzzer over dejected and deflated Winnipeg defenders.
Winnipeg was led by Travis Krahn with 20 points and Eric Zimmerman with 14. Forward Benny Iko scored 9 to go with 8 boards and 6 assists.
Coach Scott Morrison said, “Credit to Winnipeg for really taking it to us off the bounce in the first half. We were fortunate to still be in the game going to the 3rd quarter. 2nd half I was happy with our defensive effort but we need more consistent results tomorrow night on that end of the floor over 40 minutes.”
The teams rematch tomorrow beginning at 8 pm. It will be broadcast on SSN Canada: www.ssncanada.ca/games
Also, at half time tomorrow the 2011 Wall of Fame inductees will be presented to the Thunderdome crowd.