WATERLOO, Ont. - With the playoffs inching closer and closer, the Golden Hawks took a crucial win over the Waterloo Warriors on the road Wednesday night, 76-68. 

For the fourth straight game, Laurier struggled in the first quarter. A big part of the team's identity this season and in previous years under manager of basketball operations and head coach Justin Serresse has been defensive intensity, but the Waterloo offence seemed to be running the show early on in this one. 

The Warriors scored 21 points on 75% shooting from the field in just the first six minutes and change, completely dominating the play at times. 

The Golden Hawks put together a 7-2 run to close out the frame, cutting the Waterloo lead to 23-18 at the end of the first. 

"I think it's fair to say that we have a style and it's pretty clear we play that way every night. The problem is that we don't have consistency," said Serresse after the game.

The difference between the first and second quarters Wednesday night might be the most striking example of this lack of consistency we've seen this season, as Laurier came alive to outscore Waterloo 20-10 to take a 38-33 lead at halftime. 

Leading the way offensively was Taye Donald, who had 10 of his game-high 25 points in the frame. 

M?? Q2 - Taye Donald hits from DEEP! He's got a game-high 14 points with two minutes left in the first half! pic.twitter.com/0TrET0LO0D

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) February 2, 2023

The third quarter saw the purple and gold increase their lead on the strength of their excellent two-way play. They forced ten Warriors turnovers in the frame, resulting in 12 points the other way.  

M?? Q3 - @ben_stevens14 with the steal and the slam!#SoarAbove #WATvsWLU pic.twitter.com/EGiNKnTs1p

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) February 2, 2023

The Golden Hawks also limited turning the ball over themselves. This was an area of weakness early in the season, but one they've turned into a strength since the holiday break. 

"We've been taking care of the ball, and that's something that I'm happy with," said Serresse. 

He once again praised the strides taken as floor generals by the team's young point guards, Taye Donald and Ethan Passley. Jahmyah Brown Jeffers also led the team with four assists in just his second game back from an extended absence due to injury. 

"They like playing with each other. They have little to zero jealousy whatsoever between them." 

Shooting struggles plagued Laurier in the fourth, but their defence held strong and didn't allow Waterloo to threaten a comeback. 

With the loss, the Warriors fall to 2-15 on the season. 

The Golden Hawks, meanwhile, improve to 10-7. Laurier is now just one win away from clinching a playoff berth, but they still have ground to cover if they hope to catch up to the Windsor Lancers, who sit atop the OUA West division with a record of 11-5. 

With just five games remaining in the regular season, including one on the road against Windsor, consistency will indeed be the key. 

"It's got to come from within. Everybody [has to] come with the same level of mental focus and energy every game," said Serresse. "We need to be more consistent, and we need to be even just a little bit better." 

TOP PERFORMERS 

Laurier Golden Hawks 
Taye Donald's 25 points were a career-high for the rookie. Even more impressive is he did it on 53% shooting from the field. He had an impressive performance defensively and recorded four steals as well. 
 

Waterloo Warriors 
Fifth-year guard Kanayo Nnadi was the offensive catalyst for the Warriors, scoring 20 points on 62% shooting. He also pulled down six rebounds. 

UP NEXT 

The Warriors (2-15)  will visit the Golden Hawks (10-7) Saturday, February 4 at 3 pm for the second leg of this Battle of Waterloo home and home. Tickets are on sale now.