GEORGE BROWN SURVIVES SCARE AGAINST FANSHAWE AT OCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL PROVINCIALS

SCARBOROUGH, ONT. - The fourth and final quarterfinal game of the 2017 Belairdirect OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) Men's Basketball Championship was a battle between the fourth seeded Fanshawe Falcons from the West Division and the top seeded George Brown Huskies from the East Division.

For the Falcons, they ended 9-7 on the season and won a nailbiting crossover match against the Durham Lords, 68-65, on a last second three pointer by guard Chris Parker (#3), who averages 13.6 ppg. The leading scorer for Fanshawe is forward Alfred Johnson (#22), who averages 14.1 ppg.

It has been an excellent season for the Huskies as they went 19-1 and finished first in the OCAA East. George Brown is led by Ajahmo Clarke. The fifth-year guard led the OCAA East in scoring with 23.0 ppg. Clarke is the all-time OCAA leader in points establishing the new record of 1,922 and is also an East Division First-Team All-Star.

You would think that no game would have topped the overtime thriller between the Centennial Colts and the Niagara Knights. Then this game happened.

Two clutch free throws from Huskies guard Kevon Mascoe (#8) with 3.1 seconds left in the game decided a nailbiting 76-74 victory over the Falcons.

Despite the Falcons shooting 47.5 per cent from the field and Huskies shooting 33.8 per cent from the field, turnovers were the key as Fanshawe committed 24 turnovers compared to George Brown's 16. The Huskies also hit two more three pointers (8-6) than the Falcons as well.

George Brown went off to a great start as they led 15-4 early. However, Fanshawe reeled off nine straight points and eventually tied the score at 25. The Huskies scored three points after to lead 28-25 after one.

The second quarter was sloppy and gritty as the Huskies shot 5-23 from the field while the Falcons committed six turnovers. George Brown outscored Fanshawe 15-13 in the frame as they headed into halftime up 43-38.

The Huskies were up 45-39 early in the third quarter when the Falcons pulled off a 16-2 run to go up eight (55-47) before George Brown scored the next eight points to tie the game. Eventually, the score was tied at 61 heading into the final quarter.

The final frame was like the previous game between the Colts and the Knights; it was a back and forth affair. A basket by the Huskies was matched by a basket from the Falcons as the crowd was growing excited by the minute.

After forcing a shot clock violation, George Brown's Mascoe drew the foul and subsequently sank both free throws. Fanshawe had a shot to tie or win the game but could not get a shot off as Parker turned the ball over on an inbound to seal the win for the Huskies.

Despite the late turnover, Parker was absolutely sensational for the Falcons as he scored a game high 30 points on five three pointers and led Fanshawe with eight rebounds and five assists. Johnson had 15 points and a game high three blocks while centre Lex Van Iperen (#33) had 11 points to cap off Fanshawe's double digit scorers.

Three players also scored in double figures for the Huskies. Clarke led the team with 19 points and a team high four assists while Mascoe had 13 points. Guard Dejazmatch (DJ) James (#15) chipped in with 10 points while forward Jordan James (#9) had a game high 10 rebounds.

Clarke was named the Player of the Game for the Huskies while Parker was named Player of the Game for the Falcons.