Men’s basketball drops 2019 opener to Guelph

Lakehead’s men’s basketball team lost its first game of 2019 on Friday night, coming up short with a final score of 95-73 to the Guelph Gryphons. Lakehead moves to 2-9, while Guelph improves to 4-7.

“Tonight’s game was a good battle for us to start the second semester,” Thunderwolves head coach Ryan Thomson said, “but we came out flat and didn’t match their physicality or intensity on the glass.”

Lakehead was out-rebounded 51 to 20 by the Gryphons. Guelph nearly matched the Thunderwolves’ combined total on the offensive glass alone, picking 19 boards on offense.

“When we matched Guelph’s energy in the second quarter, we were able to make a bit of a run,” Thomson said, “but we weren’t able to sustain that level of execution defensively or in our rebounding efforts.”

Thunderwolves guard Alston Harris led Lakehead 27 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in 25 minutes off the bench. Harris shot an impressive 9-14 from the floor, and was perfect from the outside with one made three-point shot, and from the stripe, going 8-8 on free throws. Nick Burke, Lock Lam, and Isaiah Traylor also contributed double-digit points.

Guelph was led by Tommy Yanchus’ 37 points, while Banky Alade added 21 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks against the Thunderwolves.

“Tomorrow is another chance for us to get it right and bring it for 40 minutes,” Thomson said. “No one has excuse to not be ready.”

Thunderwolves basketball returns to action tomorrow night with a second set of away games at the University of Guelph, on January 5th. They will return to the Thunderdome for their first home games of 2019 to face the Windsor Lancers on January 11th and 12th.

All basketball games are available via webcast courtesy of OUA.tv