North Bay, ON – The Lakers Men's Basketball team fought hard but ultimately lost a close game to the Queen's Gaels 90-87 on November 15 at RJS Athletic Centre.
Mateja Vukic got the Lakers started strongly, sinking a deep 3 pointer on the opening possession of the game. The Gaels got into the game as Jakub Dobiech sank a three-pointer to cut the Lakers lead to 9-7. Queen's would lead briefly before a Jeziyah Excell-Johnson layup tied the game at 18 apiece. Queen's would take a 26-20 lead on a 3-pointer and made-layup, but Andrew Latham sank 3 free throws to bring the Lakers back, and Excell-Johnson tied the game at 26-26 with 1:21 to go. The quarter would end 28-28 after a few fouls and free throws for either side.
The second quarter felt slower in pace than the first, as both teams traded baskets and substitutions. Queen's lead 48-42 before Andrew Latham nailed a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 3. Queen's would add a single free throw, and the half would end 49-45 for the visitors.
Chris-Evrard Malonga got hot in the third, shooting 4-5 from the field, and 1/1 from 3, for 12 points in the quarter. Malonga helped the Lakers outscore the Gaels 25-20 in the third. The teams traded shots and scoring with each other for the majority of this quarter. The largest lead for either side was 4 for Queen's to begin the half. Nipissing would lead 70-69 to end what ended up being a closely contested third quarter.
Lucas Ponting gave the Gaels the lead off a 3-pointer at 9:48 in the fourth. Andrew Latham answered at 8:39, with a clutch 3. The game would stay 74-73 Queen's until 6:31, where Alex Blackmore would give Nipissing the lead 76-74. Mateja Vukic added another 3-ball at 5:38 to give the Lakers a 5 point lead.
Nipissing would lead 81-76 before Queen's caught up, bringing the game to 83-82. The turning point for this contest was Ashton Bain's 3-pointer at 1:40 left, giving Queen's an 85-83 lead. The Lakers would add 4 more via fouls and free throws, but Queen's defended the lead and took home the win, 90-87.
Chris-Evrard Malonga scored a game-high 29 points in the loss, his best scoring game this season. He added 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. Jeziyah Excell-Johnson scored 18 and added 3 rebounds and 5 assists. Andrew Latham shot well off the bench for Nipissing at 2/3 from 3-point range and 3/5 overall in field goals. He had 11 points. Alex Blackmore scored 12 and added 2 assists and a steal.
For Nipissing, the loss moves their record to 2-6 this season. The Lakers are back in action Wednesday, November 19th at RJS Athletic Centre when the Laurentian Voyageurs visit RJS Athletic Centre. Tip-off is 8PM.
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