SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - For the second straight game, a career-high night fueled by three-point shooting led the Golden Hawks to a win over a division rival.
Last week it was Taye Donald. On Friday, Benhur Gebrekidan's 21 points were the catalyst as Laurier handled an impressive Algoma team to the tune of an 89-70 victory.
The game was a close one to start, with both squads playing good defence in the first quarter. It took some skillful plays from DeAndrae Pierre to open the game up. His nine first-quarter points made the difference as the Golden Hawks took a 27-19 lead into the second.
The Thunderbirds responded with some solid offensive sets, but the Golden Hawks had an answer each time keeping the lead in double digits. The score was 47-34 at halftime.
Coming off the bench in this game, Gebrekidan already had 11 points at the break. He took over in the third quarter, scoring 10 more in the frame.
"The first two games of the season were rough for him, so he needed that bounce back," said manager of men's basketball operations and head coach Justin Serresse.
When asked what sparked the fourth-year guard's return to form, Serresse said "I think we mixed it up well, we didn't fall in love with him just shooting threes."
"I think that's what our mistake's been in the past... he's capable of doing more. He's got a little bit of a mid-range game. He's got some post moves, he's more versatile than we have used him in the past. and I'm making a conscious effort to utilize him in different ways this year."
That said, the three-ball was certainly falling for Gebrekidan. He shot 5-10 from the arc, and 8-14 from the field.
Leading 75-50 heading into the fourth quarter, Laurier didn't let up, and Algoma had nothing left to counter the purple and gold's excellent two-way play.
This was, however, the most competitive game between these two teams in recent memory. Serresse attributes it to Thunderbirds head coach Ryan Vetrie. The former women's basketball head coach at Algoma is in his first full season with the men's squad after taking over in the interim in January.
"I know coach Ryan fairly well," he said. "I know he's a good coach and I know that he's instilling some good momentum, some good energy to the team right now."
The Golden Hawks will try to halt that momentum as they face the Thunderbirds again on Saturday in the second leg of a weekend back-to-back.
"I'm expecting them to make some adjustments, especially on Benhur, and I want to see how we react from there. Anything that comes with the W tomorrow will be good."
BY THE NUMBERS
21
Gebrekidan's game-high total was equaled by DeAndrae Pierre. It's the fifth-year transfer student's highest total yet as a Golden Hawk.
10
Chidera Ubosi also had a career night. His seven points and game-high 10 rebounds dwarf his previous bests of two and three, respectively. He also had a steal and a block.
"He's big, he's strong, he's super athletic, but he's very young within this game. He doesn't have a lot of basketball experience," said Serresse about the second-year forward.
"When he does those things like he did today, I'm like, ok, now we can really count on you."
5
Taye Donald followed up his career-high 31 with a solid 16-point effort, but did much more than score to help his team win. He was a force on both ends of the court, recording six assists and a career-high five steals.
UP NEXT
Tip-off for Saturday's rematch is set for 4 p.m. in Sault Ste. Marie. Follow @WLUAthletics on X for live updates and catch all the action on OUA.tv.
