THUNDER BAY, ON – Sports – Both Lakehead Thunderwolves basketball teams will be in action at home this weekend for double headers versus the Brock Badgers. Game times Friday and Saturday are 6 pm (women) and 8pm (men). All varsity games on Saturday are part of Lakehead Athletics’ annual ‘Think Pink’ initiative, which in coordination with the CIS’ ‘Shoot for the Cure’ and ‘Spike for the Cure’ campaigns, raises funds and awareness for Breast Cancer, with all funds going to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Northern Cancer Fund.
The ‘Shoot for the Cure’ event is an initiative that spans the entire CIS, and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research and awareness across the country. For the past 4 years, the Thunderwolves (Women’s volleyball and both basketball teams) have hosted ‘Shoot for the Cure’ (‘Spike for the Cure’ – volleyball) home games, the proceeds of which have gone to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Northern Cancer Fund. Over $7,500 was raised last year, with a grand total of over $21,500 in 4 years of the Thunderwolves’ dedication to this cause.
Women (5-4, tied for 3rd place in OUA West)
The women’s team faces the undefeated Brock Badgers (9-0), who sit atop the OUA West standings. While both Lakehead and the Badgers have averaged about 65 points per game this season, Brock’s difference maker has been their defence (CIS #1), limiting opponents to a 51.6 points per game (to LU’s 64.3).
The Badger’s scoring leaders are junior forward Nicole Rosenkranz (15.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and sophomore guard Kayla Santilli (12.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG).
Coach Jon Kreiner states, “Our players are excited to get back onto home court for two tough games against the undefeated Brock Badgers. The Thunderdome is a great place to play and we will need every bit of energy it exudes in our attempt to knock off a great squad. Nicole Rosenkranz is one if the most dominant players in the CIS and she must be contained but Kayla Santilli has been having a terrific year and always hurts us. Saturday is our ‘Shoot for the Cure’ game and we will be wearing our pink uniforms and using a pink basketball to support Breast Cancer research and awareness. With a great crowd we are hoping to be successful in more ways than one.”
Men (5-4, 2nd place, OUA West)
The men’s team seems to have gotten their feet under themselves after a rocky start to the season, as new recruits have been worked into the rotation and the ‘Wolves have battled through several injuries to their lineup.
The Badgers feature a blend of seniors, speed, size (1 player listed at 7’0″, another 6’10”), and shooting (CIS #4 in 3-pt, 37.5%). They also have 5 players who average double-digit scoring per game, with forward Mark Gibson leading at 14.7 PPG and 6.1 RPG, followed by guard Jameson Tipping at 14.1 PPG and 6.6 RPG.
Coach Scott Morrison comments, “It will be nice to be home this weekend after 5 straight road games but there will be nothing nice about facing the Badgers this weekend. They have an athletic perimeter that can attack the rim and a strong front court that can do damage inside. To top it off they are one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the CIS right now. We are going to have to execute and be ready to physically compete in transition and on the glass.”
Games will be webcast via SSN Canada, and broadcast via LU Radio, 102.7 FM, luradio.ca
Schedule:
Friday, Jan 11
Women – 6pm
Men – 8 pm
Saturday, Jan 12 ‘Shoot for the Cure’ Benefit Games
Women – 6 pm
Men – 8 pm
