THUNDER BAY – Sports – The Thunderwolves fell to the Marauders. In a game that was inconsequential to playoff seedings, the men’s basketball team dropped a 92-82 decision to the McMaster Marauders.
As the game began it was clear that it would be a battle of the benches, with Lakehead coach Scott Morrison deciding to rest 5th year senior Yoosrie Salhia, who sat in street clothes on the bench.
Thunderwolves fought hard
Be that as it may, both teams fought hard down the stretch for the win. Lakehead trailed by 10, 28-18 after the first quarter in which McMaster graduating senior Nathan Pelech scored 8 of his 10 total points. McMaster brought a 45-38 lead into the locker room at the break.
Things would remain fairly even from there on out, with both teams trading baskets in the fourth quarter and McMaster holding on for the victory on their ‘Seniors Night’.
Joey Nitychoruk was the leading scorer for Lakehead, putting up a career-high 18 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals in 21 minutes of play. Four other T-Wolves reached double digits, with Joe Hart and Greg Carter putting up 11 each, and Matthew Schmidt and Ryan Thomson scoring 10 points each. Carter finished with a game-high 5 assists.
McMaster was led by Aaron Redpath with 20 points (9-10 FT), and Adam Presutti scored 15.
Lakehead shot 6-26 (23%) from three, compared to McMaster’s 6-19 (32%). Strangely enough, Lakehead took the loss despite shooting 29-41 (71%) from within the arc. The real difference maker was the disparity in free throws, with Lakehead attempting 15 (hitting only 6) to McMaster’s 34 (hitting 28).
Coach Scott Morrison comments, “It was great to get our bench guys some extended minutes and experience tonight as the game did not affect final standings. I thought we lost the game with our poor start in the first quarter and it’s tough to beat a team when they shoot 20 more free throws over 40 minutes. Both teams played hard tonight and now are prepared for the post season.”
The men will now advance to the 2nd playoff round thanks to a first round bye. If McMaster (#3) defeats Waterloo (#6) in the first round (Wednesday, Feb 20), they will play Lakehead for the third time in a week, this time in the Thunderdome on Saturday Feb 20.
