Box Score THUNDER BAY, Ont. - After three straight games of back-and-forth runs and heart-pounding finishes, Laurier couldn't put together another late comeback Saturday against Lakehead, as the #9 Thunderwolves shut the door in the fourth quarter en route to a 78-63 victory.
It was a game as far removed from the previous three as the Golden Hawks could have imagined, with the difference between the two teams barely deviating the entire second half.
The game began evenly, with Laurier taking their first and only lead of the game roughly halfway through the frame.
A 9-0 run from Lakehead – the largest run from either team all night – pushed the score to 17-12 for the Thunderwolves heading into the second.
A bright spot in the first half for the Golden Hawks was Ben Stevens' performance on the glass. He had seven rebounds through two quarters, earning him a new moniker courtesy of the play-by-play announcer.
The score was 35-26 at halftime. While Laurier did a good job on the defensive end to keep the game close, they weren't doing themselves any favours at the other end. They finished the game shooting just 33% from the field, including an abnormally low 25% from three-point range.
At the other end, they did well to keep Lakehead to 35% and 20% splits.
"We had a gameplan that worked and were able to make their life difficult," said Manager of Men's Basketball Operations and Head Coach Justin Serresse after the game.
The difference tonight may have come down to the Golden Hawks performance on the line. The purple and gold made only 13 of their 26 free-throw attempts, many of which came late in the third quarter with the team in the bonus.
"We had opportunities to make it closer," said Serresse. "Missing 13 free throws doesn't help. Turning the ball over 19 times doesn't help. We fix those two things, I think it's a totally different ball game."
With the score 51-41 heading into the fourth quarter, Laurier would have to pick it up offensively to make it a game.
Unfortunately, it was Lakehead who found another gear in the final frame.
They were led by star fifth-year guard Michael Okafor, who was kept in check for most of the game, but came alive late.
The nail in the coffin came on a tough and-one layup from Okafor to push the lead to 12 with just over two minutes remaining.
With the loss, the Golden Hawks fall back to .500 with a record of 3-3, while the Thunderwolves improve to 5-1.
TOP PERFORMERS
Laurier Golden Hawks
Ben Stevens recorded a double-double for the second straight game with 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. He was also one of Laurier's most efficient players, shooting 71% from the field.
Lakehead Thunderwolves
All said and done, it was a monster performance from Michael Okafor. He finished with a game-high 27 points and 14 rebounds, while adding four assists and two steals as well.
UP NEXT
It will be another tough task for the Golden Hawks on Friday, November 25 when they host the #6 Queen's Gaels.
"It's going to be a big challenge," said Serresse. "I'm looking forward to it because I think those are the types of games you strive for."
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at the Athletic Complex. Tickets are on sale now.
