Tan powers Wolves to second straight victory

Odds are, if it weren’t for a knee injury suffered in his final year in high school, Henry Tan would be plying his basketball trade south of the border.

Instead, lured to Thunder Bay three years ago by then Lakehead Thunderwolves coach Scott Morison, Tan spent a year on the sidelines rehabbing and two more struggling to find his place.

There were spurts where Tan showed all-Canadian skills, but at other times he’d disappear, make poor court decisions and let his teammates take the spotlight.

But this season, his third in the OUA, the Vaughn, Ont. native has found a spark, that extra gear that’s pushed him to the top of his game.
Saturday night’s 77-68 home-court win over the Laurentian Voyageurs might have been his finest yet.

Tan posted 26 points and added nine rebounds and six assists to help the Wolves erase a four-point halftime deficit and climb back to .500 at 3-3.

“He dealt with some injuries and had half a year last year and got in the gym and got his body bigger, stronger and whatnot,” said LU coach Manny Furtado.

“You look at him now and he’s reaping the benefits.”

So too are the Thunderwolves.

When the Voyageurs (1-5) threatened to pull away in the second quarter, pushing their lead to eight points, it was Tan who was the constant for Lakehead, going to the hoop four times, helping cut the lead to four by halftime.

In the third, after Taner Parrington finally put the Thunderwolves back on top for the first time since they led 12-10 in the opening quarter, it was Tan who finished off the 10-0 run with back-to-back baskets.

“It was a long process and I’m glad that I’m healthy and I’m glad that I’m playing aggressive and just playing my game,” the soft-spoken Tan said.

“I’m taking what the defence is giving me. I’m making better decisions now. And I’m in shape this year, so I’m just trying to continue my play.”

Though the Voyageurs have only one win this season, they showed no quit against the Thunderwolves. Led by Sam Hirst’s 19-point effort, they kept it close until the fourth. And even when Lakehead jumped in front by 11 with four minutes to go on the first of two Alex Robichaud three-pointers in the period, they kept battling, closing to within six within seconds.

But Robichaud’s second bomb, a shot that had Furtado shaking his head in disbelief, and a two-handed power dunk by Bacarius Dinkins – who chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds – pushed the LU lead back to 11 and put the contest out of reach.

Next up is a pair of games against the No. 4 Brock Badgers on the road next weekend. The Wolves next home game is Jan. 29 against McMaster.