Men’s basketball squad lose close match to Queen’s

Lakehead’s men’s basketball team dropped another close game on Saturday night, losing to the Queen’s Gaels 64-58.

“Tonight was a grind of a game,” Thunderwolves head coach Ryan Thomson said. The physical match saw each team battle to keep pace in the scoring column, and Lakehead carried a 34-33 deficit into the half.

“The shooting percentages weren’t great, and we threw the ball away 17 times, which was ultimately the difference,” Thomson said. The Thunderwolves shot 42% from the field, but only 16.7% from downtown, and 54.5% from the line.

“Queen’s is a well-coached team with a great deal of veteran leadership,” Thomson said. Fifth-year players Jaz Bains and Tanner Graham combined for 38 points and almost 2/3rds of the Gaels’ field goals.

Lakehead forward Kevin Ndahiro led the Thunderwolves with 18 points on 7-11 shooting.

“This game should serve as a good experience for our young core who battled for much of the second half,” Thomson said, “but just couldn’t get over the hump.”

The loss brings Lakehead’s men’s team to 2-5 and brings Queen’s to 5-3. The Thunderwolves play again tomorrow, facing off against the visiting York Lions in the Thunderdome.

“York presents a good challenge for us and another opportunity to get better and learn how to play as a team,” Thomson said.

Basketball games are available via webcast courtesy of OUA.TV