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Preview: ‘Wolves Host CIS #8 and #4 McMaster

After more than two months without a game in the Thunderdome, Lakehead Basketball returns to the hardwood in the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse on Friday and Saturday evening against the McMaster Marauders. Game times are set for the women at 6pm, men at 8pm.

Saturday’s games are the annual ‘Think Pink: Shoot for the Cure’ benefit games. Lakehead Athletics has raised over $36,000 for cancer research in Northern Ontario. The women’s basketball team is dedicating Saturday’s game to McMaster coach Theresa Burns, who is currently on leave battling breast cancer.

Lakehead Women (4-5)

J_Baldin_crossThe McMaster Marauders (8-3, CIS #8) were handed their first loss of 2016 by the Western Mustangs, 68-63 last week, but no doubt have payback on their minds against Lakehead this weekend. The ‘Wolves blew out the Marauders, 82-49 in the second round of the playoffs last season at the Burridge Gym in Hamilton.

Most of McMaster’s lineup has returned from the 14-15 roster, while Lakehead’s has undergone significant turnover.

Marauders’ senior guard Danielle Boiago has put up impressive numbers (19.6 pts + 7.2 rebs per game) while shooting 48% from the field and 41% from three.

Lakehead aims to hang tough against the veteran team, countering with upstart guard Jerika Baldin (7.3 ast/game) in the hopes she will keep finding her scorers, Bridget O’Reilly (13pts/game) and Gillian Lavoie (10pts/game). Junior Katelyn Andrea has picked up her game since the December break, scoring a total of 40 points in her last two outings.

“Mac is playing really well recently…we can’t let them get out in transition,” mentions coach Jon Kreiner. “Danielle Boiago is one of the best in the country, we need to get after her defensively. On offence, we need to run our stuff according to plan and establish an inside game.”

Lakehead Men (4-5)

Bacarius_rghthandThe McMaster men’s team (9-2, CIS #4) has averaged over 95 pts/game in January, going 4-0 and conceding 70.5 pts/game over that stretch.

The Thunderwolves are hoping to get another dominant performance from Bacarius Dinkins, who led the team past Algoma last week. Dinkins was mediocre against the Marauders last season, scoring 16 points with 13 rebounds over two games in Hamilton.

McMaster employs a ‘run and gun’ style of attack, and boasts five players averaging double digits, led by Leon Alexander with 19 pts/game.

Coach Manny Furtado describes this week’s challenge:

“This is probably the most athletic team we’ll face all year. These guys get after it, they’re a transition team and push the tempo. They’re very aggressive defensively, will turn you over and get out in transition again. We gotta make sure we take care of the ball and are taking quality shots.”
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Webcast available via OUA TV

Home audio broadcast available via CILU Radio, 102.7FM, and visitor’s broadcast via CFMU.

Weekend Schedule vs McMaster Marauders

Friday, Jan 29
6:00pm – Women
8:00pm – Men
Saturday, Jan 30
6:00pm – Women
8:00pm – Men
Thunderwolf

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