North Bay, ON – Nipissing Lakers Men's Basketball scored an 81-72 win over the Algoma Thunderbirds on Friday, January 16th at RJS Athletic Centre on Shoot for the Cure night.
The Thunderbirds won the first quarter, scoring 21 to Nipissing's 19. The Lakers jumped to a 7-1 lead before Algoma eventually caught up and cut the deficit to one point, 14-13. Algoma scored a three-pointer to take an 18-15 lead, but Nipissing tied the game at 19 with under a minute left in the quarter off an Alvin Icyogere jumper. Algoma led 21-19 after one.
The second quarter saw Nipissing come to life, outscoring Algoma 21-12. Alex Blackmore's three-pointer gave the Lakers a 22-21 lead before Ryan Heim's three-pointer increased the lead to four at 25-21. Algoma would tie the game at 27, but Jean Rene Brutus Escalona's three-point shot helped the Lakers regain their lead. The Lakers continued to stack good defense on top of scoring on many possessions to lead 40-33 at halftime.
Nipissing outscored Algoma 20-15 in the third quarter, continuing their momentum from the second quarter. Mateja Vukic scored a clutch three pointer to help the Lakers build a 12-point lead. Jeziyah Excell-Johnson added a three-pointer of his own later in the quarter. Algoma would creep back into the game, cutting Nipissing's lead to just six. Ryan Heim added a layup and Bryan Oswald-Ayih scored a free throw to end the quarter with the Lakers leading 60-48.
The Thunderbirds crept back into the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Lakers 24-21. Doug Awusu scored many clutch free throws to maintain the Lakers lead, but Algoma pressed and eventually cut Nipissing's lead to just nine. Alvin Icyogere hit a three-pointer to help the Lakers maintain their lead, which was too much for Algoma to overcome. Nipissing took this game 81-72.
Jeziyah Excell-Johnson scored 19 points in the win, adding 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Alex Blackmore scored 15 and added 7 rebounds and a steal. Jean Rene Brutus Escalona netted 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the win. Alvin Icyogere scored 10 and grabbed 5 rebounds. Doug Awusu added 10 of his own and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The win moves the Lakers to 4-10 on the season. The Lakers are back in action Saturday, January 17th at 6PM, facing off with the McMaster Marauders at RJS Athletic Centre. Catch the action live on OUA.tv.
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