SUDBURY, Ont. - After a dominating victory over Nipissing Friday night, the second leg of the Golden Hawks' northern road trip – and their last game before the holiday break – proved to be a livelier one, with both teams trading big runs throughout.
In the end, it was Laurier who came away with the comeback win thanks to a big fourth quarter, defeating the Laurentian Voyageurs 78-69.
Travel fatigue may have played a part in the Golden Hawks' slow start Saturday night, as the Voyageurs were able to put together an early 10-0 run to take an eight-point lead halfway through the first quarter.
Laurier shot just six for nineteen from the field in the opening frame, missing all five of their three-point attempts. The scoreboard showed 25-13 for Laurentian at the end of the quarter
The Golden Hawks seemed to gain an extra step on defence to start the second quarter. Their relentless pressure on the Voyageurs' ball-handlers led to several turnovers and forced them to settle for low-percentage shots.
At the other end of the court, Laurier's offence was jump-started by Justin Malnerich, who had 10 points in the second, leading his team on a 17-5 run to open the frame.
"That's why we were pushing so hard for him to come to Laurier," said Manager of Men's Basketball Operations and Head Coach Justin Serresse on the fifth-year guard. Malnerich played four years at the University of Waterloo before joining the Golden Hawks as a graduate student.
"Coaching against him for four years, I knew that he was a guy that can blow a game wide open. He kept us in it in the first half, and then put it away at the end. He's a veteran, and that's what we need from our vets."
A Malnerich layup tied the game midway through the quarter, but Laurentian regained the lead before halftime, with the score 44-36 at the break.
The Voyageurs were in turn energized on defence to start the third quarter, as it seemed the ball was blocked, deflected or stolen on every Laurier possession during their 8-4 run to open the second half.
Given Laurentian's interim head coach is Serresse's cousin Georges Serresse, it's perhaps no surprise to see the Voyageurs play actively and aggressively on defence as well.
The Golden Hawks were unable to do much against a rolling Laurentian during the third, and the lead was still at seven heading into the fourth, 60-53.
As Serresse mentioned earlier, it was Laurier's veterans who led the comeback effort in the final frame. Malnerich, fifth-year forward Ben Stevens, and fourth-year guard Vladimir Lukomski have been three of the team's most consistent players all season and they were leaned on late in this one.
Those three, along with second-year guards Ethan Passley and Taye Donald, played all ten minutes of the fourth quarter.
"Once I found that lineup that was performing well together, I just stuck with it," said Serresse. "Their body language and confidence was so strong that I wasn't willing to [sub them out]."
Within the first three and a half minutes, that lineup had already gone on a 13-0 run to take a 66-60 lead.
Malnerich had another seven points in the final frame, while Lukomski scored six of his season-high nine, including the shot to take the lead. After arguably outplaying the Golden Hawks for three quarters, the Voyageurs could do nothing to stop them in the fourth. Laurier outscored Laurentian 25-9 in the final frame.
This was the first meeting between Justin and Georges Serresse as opposing head coaches. Serresse spoke on Friday about how special it was going to be, but said the game itself it was "just like coaching any other game."
"I didn't want to make it a big deal, because I knew that if I did that then maybe that would be adding negative pressure and I didn't want that. I just wanted to focus on how we play."
With the win, Laurier improves to 6-4 on the season and secures second place in the OUA West division heading into the holiday break. Laurentian, meanwhile, falls to 2-7.
TOP PERFORMERS
Laurier Golden Hawks
Justin Malnerich finished the night with 24 points, five assists, and four rebounds in 36 minutes played, each marking his highest total as a Golden Hawk. Maybe even more impressive was his efficiency, as he shot 53% from the field, including 67% from three-point range.
Laurentian Voyageurs
Third-year forward Cedric Mbiaba led his team with 17 points and six rebounds, while also recording two assists and a steal.
UP NEXT
The Golden Hawks will now enjoy a month off for final exams and the holidays. Their first game of 2023 will be against the #4 Ottawa Gee-Gees on Friday, January 6 at 8 p.m. at the Athletic Complex. Tickets are on sale now.
