The York University Lions men's basketball team got back into the win column with a 79-77 win over the Brock Badgers at the Tait McKenzie Centre to tip off the new year.
In the first quarter, the Badgers gained an early 3-0 lead but the Lions picked up the pace and came out loud to dominate over the Badgers. Three-pointers from
Prince Kamunga and
Alex Thielen help solidify the Lions' lead and kept the momentum going to close the first quarter with a whopping 22-14 advantage thanks to a buzzer-beater from
DeAndrae Pierre.
In the second, the Badgers made a speedy comeback as they tied up the score 24-24 and then gained the lead for the first time in the frame with help from Godsman Kwakwah. The Lions trailed by two points, which was then followed by a Lions foul the handed the Badgers the chance to solidify their lead.
In the final two minutes of the half, the Lions had an opportunity to inch closer to tie with two free throws scored from Kamunga, kept on with a basket from Pierre to match the half. When the Lions and fans thought the half would end with a tie, the Badgers Kyle Cooper scored a buzzer-beater of his own taking the edge, 35-33.
The Lions came out roaring in the third as Kamunga scored a three-pointer to give the team a 39-35 lead. The Lions continued to put threes on the board, widening their gap even more until the final 90 seconds of the quarter. The Badgers had closed in on the Lions lead with a jump shot followed by a three-pointer Tyler Brown. But the Lions came out on top by one point, 54-53.
In the final quarter, the Lions continued to lead at 67-60. Despite Brock chipping away at the score, in the final minute the Lions led 76-74. Kamunga attempted a three-pointer that bounced off the rim and was rebounded by the opponent. The Badgers had the ball, and it was their chance to win the game, but their shot bounced off the rim as well. Lions'
Tyler Pryce was on a break, and he drew the foul and scored both free throws followed by a free throw from Pierre to give the Lions the much-needed win.
Pierre scored the most amount of points in the game with 23, followed by Kamunga with 22. Kamunga recorded a double-double on the night with 13 rebounds and also had three blocks and three assists. Thielen followed him with 10 points.
The Lions play their next game this Saturday against the No. 7 nationally ranked McMaster Marauders at the Tait McKenzie Centre at 8pm.
