ALGONQUIN 80, FANSHAWE 76

NORTH YORK, Ont. - It was a game of highs and lows for the Algonquin Thunder as they defeated the Fanshawe Falcons 80-76 Saturday morning. The Thunder led early, fell behind in the second quarter and pulled ahead in the second half for the win.

Algonquin appeared more awake than Fanshawe for the 9 a.m. tip, jumping out to a 9-2 lead. The Thunder increased their lead to 12-4 following a long three point shot by Romaine Lawrence, taken from well beyond the arc. Bryan McDonald scored four quick points to help cut the deficit before a three by Gareth Edwards gave Fanshawe their first lead of the game at 19-18. Lansani Kone answered for Algonquin and the teams ended the first quarter tied at 21.

The teams battled back and forth in the second quarter. A two by Nehemiah Campbell tied the game at 33 with 2:31 to play in the half. Looking to regain the lead, Edwards made a three for the Falcons before the action intensified in the final seconds. A pair of free throws by Mike Dubreuil with 10.1 seconds left in the half gave the Falcons a 41-36 lead before Campbell made a pair of his own free throws to bring the Thunder to within three at 41-38.

Just 13 seconds into the third quarter, Lawrence hit a three-pointer to tie the game up once again at 41. Just 31 seconds later, Lawrence struck again with another three to give the Thunder the lead. It was then Fanshawe's turn to answer as Ryan Pfianzner tied the game up at 44. It would be the final time the game was tied as Lawrence scored 12 in the quarter to give the Thunder a 59-52 lead.

The high-scoring quarter saw the Thunder hold their largest lead at 68-57 before the Falcons closed to within three at 76-73 with 1:04 remaining. Garnet Blais made a two to make it a two possession game and seal the victory. A three at the buzzer by Fanshawe meant little in the final outcome as the Thunder move on with the four-point victory.

Algonquin was led by Lawrence with 32 points and Blais who scored 24 and added six rebounds. Campbell also added 11 points and four assists. Lawrence was named Player of the Game.

Fanshawe had four scorers in double figures with Chavaun Miller-Bennett leading the way with 17. Edwards' also added 15 points and 12 rebounds in being named Player of the Game.

The Thunder will play for bronze against the Seneca Sting later today at 4 p.m. while Fanshawe's season comes to an end.

Source: Seneca College