WATERLOO, Ont. - If you've been following the Golden Hawks 2022-2023 season, you've likely been de-sensitized to heart-pounding finishes by now. Saturday afternoon's game, then, was nothing special, as the Golden Hawks merely overcame a 14-point deficit to force overtime against the TMU Bold at home. 

Unfortunately for the Hawks, their perfect record in extra minutes was dashed by the Bold, who came away with the 78-73 victory. 

That the purple and gold were able to get to overtime is impressive, considering how dominant a first quarter it was for TMU. The Bold shot an incredible 63% from the field while outrebounding the Golden Hawks 10-4 to take a 27-19 lead. 

Often when teams are able to consistently come back from big leads, as Laurier has this season, it's due to an explosive offence able to manufacture big runs. While the Golden Hawks' offence has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, it's often been their defence which keeps them in games, shutting down the other team's attack while allowing the offence to grind away at the deficit. 

This was the case on Saturday, as TMU's field-goal percentage took a nosedive to just 25% in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Taye Donald's eight points in the frame gave some life to a somewhat stagnant Laurier offence. The purple and gold closed the half with a 10-2 run, and the lead was cut to 37-34 heading into the break. 

M?? Q2 - Taye Donald's finding his rhythm in the second quarter, he's got eight points in the frame!#SoarAbove #WLUvsTMU pic.twitter.com/nG38YuSZg5

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 14, 2023

The Golden Hawks' defensive prowess continued into the third quarter, but the Bold managed to shut them down just as effectively. Amazingly, the first points of the second half by either team didn't come until four minutes and 27 in on a layup from Ben Stevens. 

On the ensuing possession, a block by Stevens led to a layup by Donald at the other end to give Laurier their first lead since the first quarter. The score was 46-42 Golden Hawks heading into the fourth. 

M?? Q3 - @ben_stevens14 with the block, Taye Donald with the layup, and Laurier with their first lead of the half!#SoarAbove #WLUvsTMU pic.twitter.com/MqZiPK205o

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 14, 2023

It would seem the Bold had been saving all of their makes for the final frame, as they suddenly found the same shooting rhythm we saw back in the first. TMU once again shot 63% from the field in the fourth quarter. Third-year guard Lamar Everd led the way offensively, with 10 of his 18 points coming in the period. 

The Bold held a four-point lead with just over a minute to play, but three clutch free-throws from Justin Malnerich, and one more from KJ Massela tied the score at 65-65. 

In the previous two overtimes played this season, the Golden Hawks looked dominant, but a slow start in this one cost them. TMU's defence, which was strong all game, was nearly unsolvable in the extra period, and Laurier made only three of their 11 attempts from the field. 

The loss brings the Golden Hawks' record to 8-6 on the season, and with Windsor's victory over Waterloo, they're now back in second place in the OUA West division. The Bold, meanwhile, improve to 8-4. 

TOP PERFORMERS 

Laurier Golden Hawks 

Taye Donald had another impressive offensive performance, scoring 15 points while shooting three for six from three-point range. He also tallied six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. 

TMU Bold 

Despite the tough defence Laurier played on him all night, second-year guard Aaron Rhooms still managed 23 points, while also pulling down eight rebounds. 

UP NEXT 

The purple and gold are back in action Friday, January 20 at 1 p.m. for their first road game of 2023, when they'll pay a visit to the York Lions. Follow @WLUAthletics for live updates and catch all the action on OUA.tv.