If anyone was still unconvinced that this Golden Hawks team is for real, tonight removed any doubt. This is a team ready to make some noise in the postseason.
While they trailed for most of the first three quarters, the purple and gold played solid defensively throughout, keeping the visiting McMaster Marauders within reach.
Then, in the fourth quarter, the dam broke. Laurier outscored McMaster 32-16 in the final frame, earning them an 87-82 win over one of the best teams in the division.
As has unfortunately been the case often this season, the Golden Hawks struggled shooting the ball to start the game, hitting only five of their 17 field-goal attempts in the first quarter. On defence, however, they were able to hold McMaster to just one of nine shooting from three-point range, which kept the Marauders from building too large a lead. Trailing 20-15 heading into the second quarter,
Laurier continued to play well defensively, not allowing a single one of McMaster's ten three-point attempts to fall.
"[McMaster]'s so dynamic," said Manager of Basketball Operations and Head Coach
Justin Serresse after the game. "They've got a lot of guys that can get to the paint and make your defence collapse, so we knew that getting out on the shooters and contesting was going to be important."
The Golden Hawks managed to take the lead with 3:17 to play, but McMaster responded with a 7-0 run to close out the quarter, giving them a 38-32 lead at halftime.
After a low-scoring first half, both teams seemed to wake up offensively in the third quarter.McMaster managed to grow their lead to 66-55, led by Mike Demagus's 11 third quarter points.
When asked what sparked the fourth quarter comeback, Coach Serresse gave no shortage of reasons.
"Desperation, urgency, a little bit more ball movement ... The crowd was amazing, it was a big, big help. Without the crowd, we're never coming back in this game, so shoutout to all of the people that came out tonight to support the team."
And the crowd was electric. From the very start of the fourth quarter, the atmosphere in the gym was unlike anything we've seen so far this season. It was affecting the visiting Marauders, as they managed to score only three points in the first six and a half minutes of the quarter.
In that span, the Golden Hawks had reclaimed the lead, led offensively by
Ali Sow and
Romello Taylor. Of Laurier's 32 fourth-quarter points, Sow and Taylor combined for 31.
It's difficult to imagine there is a duo in the OUA, or maybe even all of U Sports, that is playing better basketball right now than Sow and Taylor.
The Golden Hawks will host a playoff game next week on either Wednesday or Saturday, which, due to the nature of the playoff format, will likely be the last time the two play at home for Laurier.
The same is true for
Jordan Kenning,
Josh Stephens,
Adnan Begovic, and
Kareem Elliott. All were honoured before tonight's game for Seniors Night. Former Golden Hawks Ntore Habimama and
Jackson Mayers were also honoured, having left the team to play pro and pursue personal endeavours, respectively, during the COVID pause in play.
"They were able to propel the program forward for a new coach, a young coach like me who didn't have a lot of experience. There's a lot of love and respect between all of us and I'm very proud of what they achieved," said Coach Serresse of his graduating players. "[
Ali Sow] was saying it's the end of an era," he continued, "I said, "No, it's the start of an era.
"For me, for the staff, for the department, for the team, for the new players coming in, and for them, moving forward in life.I'm excited for what they're going to do, moving forward."
Top Performers
Golden Hawks
G -
Ali Sow and
Romello Taylor Sow finished with 29 points on incredibly efficient 53% shooting from the field. Taylor totalled 26 points and six assists while making all eight of his free throws, including two to put the game away late in the fourth.
Marauders
Jordan Henry Henry scored 25 points, six assists, and five rebounds for the Marauders. He was also one of their most reliable defenders, recording two steals.
Up Next
The Golden Hawks will play the Marauders on the road Saturday at 2 PM for the final game of the regular season. If they win, they'll finish in second place in the OUA West and earn a first-round bye.
You can watch it live at OUA.tv.
