WATERLOO, Ont. - Another game, another wild finish for the 2022-2023 Laurier Golden Hawks. This time, Majok Deng sank two free throws with the clock showing 0.6 seconds remaining to seal the 77-75 victory over the visiting Windsor Lancers. 

Wednesday night was another example of the purple and gold's ability to win close games against tough opponents. While Manager of men's basketball operations and head coach Justin Serresse might prefer to see his team build more comfortable leads, he's happy to come away with the win against a division rival. 

"We're slowly getting better in a few areas," he said of the team's first three games of the new year, in which they faced #2 Ottawa, #1 Carleton, and the 7-3 Lancers. "Down the stretch, we're going to see these teams again, and let's be ready for it." 

The game was all Windsor to begin, as Laurier's early shooting struggles allowed the Lancers to build an 11-3 lead roughly halfway through the opening frame. A 10-2 run by the Golden Hawks late in the quarter brought the score to 17-15 at the end of the first. 

The second quarter was a more back-and-forth affair, with neither team gaining much separation. The lead changed hands four times, but Laurier had the slight advantage going into halftime, with the score 38-36 at the break. 

Lots of eyes were on Windsor centre Thomas Kennedy in this game. The fourth year ranks first in the OUA in rebounds per game and third in scoring. And while he did some damage on the glass, collecting a game-high 15 rebounds, he was held very much in check offensively, putting up only four points in the first half, and finishing with just nine. 

"That was one of our focal points," said Majok Deng, whose inside presence alongside fellow big man Ben Stevens was crucial in keeping Kennedy off the scoresheet. "He's a really good player and to hold him to under 10 points, that's really good for us." 

Also integral on defence in this game was KJ Massela, who had the tough task of defending Windsor's Xavier Ochu. 

"I felt like he really took on the challenge and was very disciplined," said Serresse. Massela also contributed a season-high 13 points. 

Laurier's largest lead of the night came late in the third quarter when a Benhur Gebrekidan three-pointer made it a 12-point game. Their offence was driven - in large part - by Ethan Passley, whose career-high 10 assists earned him his first career double-double. 

M?? Q3 - @EPassley4 dances through the defence and drops a dime for Donald!#SoarAbove #WLUvsWSR pic.twitter.com/U1dPGR4RZZ

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 12, 2023

The Lancers battled back to bring the score to 59-52 heading into the fourth and only turned up the intensity from there. With Windsor pouring on the pressure in the offensive end, the Golden Hawks found a response in Deng, who had four emphatic blocks in a less-than-three-minute span early in the final frame. 

M?? Q4 - MaBLOCK Deng is at it again! He's got a career-high five blocks on the night!#SoarAbove #WLUvsWSR pic.twitter.com/r998mtI1GD

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 12, 2023

Windsor, nonetheless, put together an 11-2 run to take a one-point lead with two and a half minutes to play. The game stayed within one possession the rest of the way, and clutch buckets from Taye Donald and Justin Malnerich set the stage for the final seconds. 

After Donald made two free throws to tie the game with 14 ticks left to play, Deng came up with a steal on the ensuing Windsor possession and was fouled, sending him to the line with a chance to win it. He made no mistake. 

Serresse has often said that "in the OUA, every win is the most important win" – he's even thinking of getting it trademarked – this one, however, is even more significant when looking ahead toward possible playoff scenarios. 

The Golden Hawks' eighth victory moves them ahead of Windsor for first place in the OUA West division with a record of 8-5. Should they stay on top of the now 7-4 Lancers the rest of the way, Laurier would earn a bye through the first round of the OUA playoffs.

In Serresse's words, "we're making a step towards being in control of our destiny." 

TOP PERFORMERS 

Laurier Golden Hawks 

Taye Donald was both Laurier's most proficient and efficient scorer, dropping a team-high 20 points on 54% shooting. Eight of those points came when it mattered most, in the fourth quarter. 

"I just think having an aggressive mindset," said Donald when asked what allows him to turn it on late in games, as we've seen him do before this season. "Throughout the whole game, not second guessing myself on the offensive end and being able to shoot the ball opens up the drive, so that helps out in the later quarters." 

Windsor Lancers 

Ochu, a graduate student and former Dalhousie Tiger, led his team with 21 points while also pulling down nine rebounds. 

UP NEXT 

The Golden Hawks (8-5) will be back in action Saturday, January 14 at 3 pm when they host the TMU Bold, who sit fourth in the Central division at 7-4. Tickets are on sale now.