FANSHAWE 81, GEORGE BROWN 71

LONDON, Ont. - In their final home game of the season, the Fanshawe Falcons defeated the George Brown Huskies in a cross-over playoff game by a final score of 81-71. The Falcons will now head to the OCAA provincial championship March 6-8 at Durham College.

In a fast-paced first quarter, Fanshawe came out of the gates on fire. Ryan Pflanzner scored a quick seven points for the Falcons, who jumped out to a 17-6 lead, forcing the Huskies to take a timeout. The Huskies finished the quarter on an 8-0 run but the Falcons still led 21-15 after one quarter of play.

George Brown was within four early in the second quarter until Pflanzner and Kyle McConnell knocked down back-to-back three pointers for the Falcons, extending the lead back to double digits. A number of three pointers kept the Huskies in the game but Alfred Johnston had a big second quarter for Fanshawe who led 46-29 at the half. Johnston and Pflanzner both had 13 points at the break.

Fanshawe took control early in the third, leading by as many as 23 points in the quarter. The Huskies stayed in the game behind some big three-point baskets. The Falcons led 59-40 with 2:52 remaining in the quarter until George Brown went on an amazing 15-0 run to close the gap to four. Fanshawe's Moses Orozco-Rayo hit a pair of free throws at the end of the quarter to stop the run but the Falcons only led by six, 61-55, heading into the fourth.

The game stayed close in the fourth and with 4:50 left in the game, George Brown tied the game for the first time since the opening tip. Chris Stanhope made three consecutive baskets under the hoop, pushing the lead to six for Fanshawe, forcing the Huskies to take a timeout with 1:39 remaining. The Falcons played some great team defence down the stretch and went on to win by a final score of 81-71.

With the win, the Falcons will now head to the OCAA provincial championships March 6-8th at Durham College where they will face the Georgian Grizzlies in the quarter-finals.

Source: Fanshawe College