BRANDON, MB – The Lakehead Thunderwolves men’s basketball team escaped 72-71 over their hosts the Brandon Bobcats on Friday evening. Brandon’s ‘Homecoming’ events leading up to the game no doubt had their Bobcats charged up and ready to pounce at the tip-off, although they fell just short with a last-second shot that did not find the basket.
Venzal Russell led the Pack with 23 points and 5 rebounds, while Ben Johnson and Brendan King both scored 11 and grabbed 4 boards. Winnipeg product Joseph Nitychoruk had 9 points in his Thunderwolves debut.
Brandon’s Donavon Gayle had 19 points and Ali-Mounir Benad had 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Coach Scott Morrison is aiming to have his players take nothing for granted in tomorrow’s game, “I am not sure we deserved to win but we are very excited that Brandon’s last second attempt did not fall. The Bobcats came out pressuring the ball and crashing the glass. We did not help ourselves by doing a poor job on helpside defense and giving Brandon some easy looks. We escaped with a win and need to learn from tonight as if it was a loss.
The two teams will rematch tomorrow evening in Brandon.