Fast-paced win

Manny Furtado unleashed his run-and-gun version of the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Friday night.

And, for the most part, the debut was a success.

Defensively the Wolves need to clean up their game a little bit, and they could use a little work at the free-throw line.

But their aggressive style of play caught the visiting Brandon Bobcats off-guard, and after a slow start, the Thunderwolves powered their way to an 88-81 Thunderdome triumph.

It was Furtado’s first win behind the bench since taking over the team from long-time coach Scott Morrison, who left earlier this year for a full-time gig coaching the D-League’s Maine Red Claws.

Was he happy with the milestone? Yes and no, he said.

“We talked about defending and making sure we know who we’re guarding and what we’re doing and that kind of stuff,” Furtado said after the contest, which saw the Wolves trail 25-21 after 10 minutes, but open a six-point lead at halftime.

“To have three of their main guys that we knew coming in were exceptional scorers, they kind of went off on us. I think combined they scored 67 points out their 81. So defensively, we’ve got to clean some stuff up.”

Richmond, Calif.’s Kenonte Ramsey torched the Wolves for 20 points in the first half, finishing with 25. In the second half it was D.J. Jordan and Earl Thompson Jr. who led the Bobcats attack. They finished with 22 and 20 points respectively, with Thompson Jr. netting eight in the fourth quarter as Brandon clawed their way back into the non-conference contest.

It took Lakehead until the fourth to finally pull away offensively.

Three times in the final period the Bobcats cut the LU lead to three points. Three times the Wolves had the answer.

The third time it was rookie Ashaunti Hogan, a Vancouver native in his third-year of eligibility, who calmly dropped a three-pointer, his second of the night, that stretched the lead to 75-69. Second-year centre Brent Wallace added two more off the offensive glass, one of the 15 offensive rebounds LU hauled in on the night.

Then, after Ramsey hit another bucket the Wolves made a strong defensive stand. McIntosh emphatically secured the rebound and fed Alex Robichaud, who went coast-to-coast to make it a three-possession game.

It’s that veteran presence that calmed the waters on a team that missed 17 free throws, including four in the fourth and a chance to put the game out of reach.

“We have four guys coming back from last year, so the four guys who are coming back really have to step up because we have a big turnover, a lot of new guys. Coach Manny made it clear at the beginning of the year we’re going to have to lead by example,” Robichaud said.

Lead by example he did, finishing with a team-high 17 points, seven assists, six rebounds and a pair of steals.

He was one of five Lakehead players in double digits. Dwayne Harvey, who sat much of the first half with two fouls, had 15. Hogan and McIntosh had 13 apiece and Addy Oguyne, who struggled at the free-throw line, had 10, including a pair of three-pointers.

It was hustle and hard work that made the difference, Hogan said.

“We went out there and just worked hard and put pressure on their defence. That’s all we could really do.”

Beyond the arc: Forward Ryan Thomson will require knee surgery and won’t suit up this season. Forward Joey Nitychoruk has decided to retire too, after ankle surgery … Guards Henry Tan and Jamar Coke also sat, nursing injuries.