A game and career-high 37-point performance by Evan Shadkami helped secure a sensational second win of the season for the York University Lions men's basketball team, as they downed the Lakehead Thunderwolves in an overtime thriller on Friday night in Thunder Bay .
In a nail-biting climax, the balance appeared to tip in favour of the Thunderwolves in the fourth, with York trailing by as many as nine with just over four minutes to go. However, thanks in large part to Shadkami's 16-point final frame, the Lions finished the game on a 11-2 run, resulting in a 79-79 deadlock through four quarters and setting the stage for the extra session.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Shadkami initiated the scoring for the Lions with a layup at the 9:15 mark. Both teams were dialed in offensively early on, with York holding a 19-16 lead.
- Shadkami led the way for the Lions once again in the second with eight points, including two three-pointers. With the game tied at 32 with 4:54 remaining in the second, Travon Hamilton and Nickele Harris hit consecutive three-pointers, Harris' making it 38-34 Lions. York led by two, 40-38, at halftime.
- As was the case in the first half, neither team was able to pull away from the other in the third. The score was knotted at 57 after three.
- Lakehead began the quarter on a 20-11 run. With York down 77-68 with 4:12 remaining, it was Shadkami who took over, hitting three three balls sandwiched around a Tyler Pryce layup, including one to tie the game at 79, ultimately forcing overtime.
- Shadkami put up five of the team's eight points, including his ninth three of the night to ice it, leading the Lions to a hard-fought 87-85 victory.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will take on the Thunderwolves in the second half of the back-to-back doubleheader on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Thunder Bay. The game is slated for 8:00 pm.
