ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – The Lakehead Thunderwolves remarkable second-half run came to a crashing halt Wednesday night in the opening round of the OUA men’s basketball playoffs.
The T-Wolves, who started the season 2-10, but finished 10-4 after an 8-4 post-Christmas break, couldn’t stave off the Brock Badgers on their home court, falling 87-83 in a game that could have gone either way.
Lakehead was outgunned by the Badgers in each of the first three quarters, and had a chance to pull even late in the fourth but couldn’t get the buckets to drop.
Fourth-year guard Isaiah Traylor did his part, pounding home 32 points to lead the Wolves offensive push. But foul troubles plagued defensive wizard Lock Lam, who was held to just five points and five blocked shots in the defeat.
Nick Burke, paying his final game with the Thunderwolves, finished with 15, while his heir apparent Alston Harris had a dozen off the bench.
Cassidy Ryan had 26 to lead the Badgers, who finished third in the OUA West and will take on Western in the quarterfinal round.
Johneil Simpson had 23 for Brock.
McMaster heads to Laurier in the other second-round match-up.
Ottawa heads to Ryerson and Queen’s takes on top-ranked Carleton in the East.
