Windsor, Ont. – SPORTS – The men’s basketball team got run down by the Windsor Lancers on Saturday night, dropping in a 81-60 loss.
With their own playoff destiny in their hands, the Lakehead Thunderwolves hung tough for the first quarter, down 17-14 following a Windsor three that beat the buzzer.
Alex Campbell would prove to be a handful for the ‘Wolves, as his jumpers swished through more often than not early on, as he led his team to a 44-30 half time lead over Lakehead. Campbell finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists on 8-of-19 shooting.
It was more of the same in the third quarter, with Campbell hitting shots and finding open team mates. As the Windsor lead stretched to 20+, coach Furtado went to his bench, who once again showed their promise in the OUA and clawed Lakehead back within 11 points with four minutes left to play. A three by Campbell in response removed all doubt as the final four minutes elapsed.
Nick Burke led the ‘Wolves with 10 points, as Bacarius Dinkins and Henry Tan struggled for the second night in a row. Dinkins and Tan went a combined 3-of-17 from the floor for a total 14 points. Dinkins’ mainstay was the free throw line, where he went 7-of-9.
Lakehead shot 22% from beyond the arc (8-for-37) to Windsor’s 34% (11-for-32).
Coach Manny Furtado stated, “Defensively we need tighten up if we want any chance of beating Western.
You never want to put your fate in someone else’s hands and tonight Brock did us a huge favour.”
Post Season Implications:
Despite the loss, Lakehead will still advance to the preliminary round of the playoffs, thanks to Brock winning against Guelph on Saturday. Unfortunately after the dust around the OUA on Saturday evening, Lakehead ended up with a #9 seed, meaning they will not host a playoff game, instead travelling to London for a rematch against the Western Mustangs on Wednesday, March 2.
