Photo by Cole Breiland

Wolves split second series in a row, this time with the Gryphons; stand tied atop OUA West with 11-3 record

Lyle Morissette

Sports Editor

The status quo is something too many people are content with, but it is something the Wolves men’s basketball team has avoided this year—they have defied odds all season. Despite this stance, the Pack found themselves doing just that this past weekend, when they fought to a series split for the second straight weekend, this time with the Guelph Gryphons.

The series opener on Friday night was an entertaining seesaw affair that saw both Greg Carter and Yoosrie Salhia foul out late.

Joe Jones stepped up in their absences by pouring in 24 big points as the “Heart Attack Pack” edged out the tenacious Guelph Gryphons 65-61.

The energetic Jones was 7-14 from the field, and hit three three-pointers while picking up two steals, one of which interrupted a crucial Gryphon’s possession that led to the game-winning reverse layup for the Wolves with 6.7 seconds left. Jones later iced the game, hitting two free throws with 0.1 on the clock.

Freshman guard Matt Nagy also added 10 points for Lakehead.

Fifth-year senior guard Jay Mott and junior guard Jon Moscatelli led four Gryphons in double figures with 13 points and three three-pointers apiece.

The early minutes of the game saw Lakehead struggling. The Pack trailed the Gryphons 40-35 after the first twenty minutes. But, as the second half has been kind to the Wolves all year, Friday was no different; the Wolves slowly battled back, knotting it at 51 heading into the final frame.

The Gryphons then took control early in the fourth until Jones completed an “and 1” with just over six minutes remaining for a three-point play that tied it up 58-58. The teams then stayed even until Andrew Hackner put the Wolves up with a layup about four minutes later.

Saturday night’s game unfortunately got away from the Wolves. They doomed themselves with poor free throw shooting down the stretch and a general lackluster second-half effort. The second game ended in a tough 69-62 overtime loss to the Gryphons.

Senior guard Jamie Searle carried the ‘Wolves on his back with 26 points, including three three-pointers, but he also missed crucial free throws down the stretch. He missed a free throw that would have sealed the win with seconds remaining in regulation, and missed two others in overtime.

“I should have knocked them down,” said Searle. “We lost because I missed three free-throws, simple as that.”

Joe Jones was next in line with eight points for the Wolves, and Yoosrie Salhia added 14 rebounds with two blocks, but was limited to just four shot attempts, going 2-4 for four points.

Guelph sophomore guard Dan McCarthy was the hero for the Gryphons, notching 26 points, eight rebounds, and six assists before fouling out late in overtime. Jay Mott added a double-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds.

Free throw shooting—for the entire team—was clearly the difference in the game as LU went a dreadful 10-20 (50%) from the line, including 4-13 (31%) after halftime.

The series split puts the CIS-ranked No. 7 Wolves at 11-3 on the season, moving them into a tie with the No. 8 Windsor Lancers for first in the OUA West. Last place Guelph now stands pat at 5-9.

Lakehead will journey south this weekend to do battle for first place with the Windsor Lancers.