WATERLOO, Ont. - The Golden Hawks overcame another shaky start to completely dominate the Algoma Thunderbirds in the later three quarters Friday night, coming away with a 91-60 victory.
It was another in a string of disappointing opening few minutes for the purple and gold, as their offense has taken time to find its rhythm in nearly every game since the holiday break.
Algoma jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, prompting manager of men's basketball operations and head coach Justin Serresse to make a rare full group substitution less than halfway into the quarter.
"I think we definitely need to address those first three minutes of the game ASAP," said Serresse. "I don't know if it's a lineup change. I don't know what it is, but at one point we're going to have to address that issue."
Laurier did manage to cut the lead to one by the end of the frame, with the score 19-18 Thunderbirds at the end of the first.
The Golden Hawks continued to improve in the second quarter, taking the lead around one minute in on a shot from Justin Malnerich. This game marked a return to form for the veteran sharpshooter after a few quiet games. He scored 16 points on 50% shooting from the field, including four of eight from three.
Laurier took a 43-38 lead into halftime. Both teams shot well in the third quarter, each topping 40% from the field. It was Laurier's defensive pressure which made the difference, as they forced eight Algoma turnovers leading to 12 points the other way.
Offence came from sources both new and familiar for the purple and gold. Vladimir Lukomski finished the game with a career-high 16 points. Ethan Passley, meanwhile, once again led the team in scoring with 21 points, improving his season average to 16.8, good for fourteenth in the OUA.
The lead had grown to 70-55 by the start of the fourth, and from there on the Thunderbirds were thoroughly outmatched at both ends of the court. The Golden Hawks held the visitors to just 12.7% shooting in the final frame, outscoring them 21-5.
While this was a notable offensive performance for Lukomski, the fourth-year forward has been a consistent defensive presence all season for Laurier, and noted the team's overall improvement on their own end of the court has helped them to close out games like this one.
"As the season's gone on, you definitely see improvements... especially our ball pressure, picking up guys, causing turnovers," he said. "I feel like that's super important going down the stretch. Everybody's going to have to play together as a team, especially on the defensive end, so just continuing to build from that will make for a strong playoff push."
The Golden Hawks officially clinched a playoff berth earlier this week, and will now focus on improving their seeding. Windsor's Friday night upset over #4 Brock makes a division title and first round bye exceedingly unlikely, but home-court advantage for the first round is still very much in play.
This win brings their record to 12-7, tying them with TMU for ninth place in the conference. They'll need to crack the top eight to secure a home playoff game.
Algoma, meanwhile, drops to 3-16 on the season.
TOP PERFORMERS
Laurier Golden Hawks
What makes Vladimir Lukomski's career night even more impressive is that he did it on incredibly efficient 75% shooting from the field.
"That's the Vlad I know," praised Serresse. "This week in practice, he's been more aggressive, creating his own offense, and today that was showcased. This is what we need from him."
Algoma Thunderbirds
Fourth-year guard Devin Miron led his team with 27 minutes played. Maybe the most striking stat of the night are his game-high 13 rebounds; an impressive feat in its own right, even more so when you consider he's only 6-1.
UP NEXT
The Golden Hawks and Thunderbirds will meet again for the second leg of this back-to-back Saturday, February 11 at 4 p.m. at the Athletic Complex. Tickets are on sale now.
