THUNDER BAY – Sometimes imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery.
Quincy Johnson borrowed a page from new coach Ryan Thomson’s playbook, unleashing a barrage of three-pointers in the early going of Friday’s night’s must-win contest against the visiting Waterloo Warriors.
The Lakehead Thunderwolves sophomore forward hit the half with 20 points and finished with 28, helping his team collect just its second win of the season – and second in four outings under Thomson, one of the top three-point threats during his playing days in the OUA.
The Wolves (2-13) held off a second-half charge by the Warriors and went on to win 98-89, their highest point total since a 99-57 road win over Brock on Jan. 25, 2014.
Johnson, whose previous season high was 13 points, was ecstatic at his breakout game, but happier still that the team found the win column again.
“It’s just exciting to play. Teams come in and they think based on our record it’s going to be an easy one,” said Johnson, who hails from Kelowna, B.C.
“It’s nice to show them that we’re maybe turning things around after the break.”
Thomson had nothing but praise for the 6-foot-6 Johnson.
“Quincy was unbelievable out there tonight,” he said. “He got a bunch of opportunities to get him going and it really got us going.”
Thomson said he’s got all the confidence in the world giving Johnson big minutes, a feeling he maintained before his big night.
“That just kind of shows him, more so than me, what he’s capable of. I think sometimes he shies away from contact. He’s not always sure how aggressive to be. I think tonight when he saw when he was aggressive and he got good looks out of it, hopefully that helps push him forward,” Thomson said.
Guard Mor Menashe, who picked up in the second half where Johnson left off in the first, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, was happy for his teammate to be rewarded for his hard work.
“It nice to see the guy blossoming and helping our team, especially offensively,” Menashe said. “I hope he keeps it up tomorrow. And if not, we need someone else to step up.”
The Thunderwolves bolted out to a 16-point lead after one quarter, but the Warriors (6-9) chipped away at it and trailed by eight at the half, down 51-43.
Nedium Hodzic, who led all players with 33 points, scored eight in rapid-fire fashion to open the third as Waterloo climbed to within two.
Lakehead stretched their lead to nine late in the quarter, but a 7-2 run left the Warriors with just a four-point deficit as the fourth rolled around.
That changed in a hurry.
Guard Nick Burke put the Warriors on notice to start the final frame, burying a three that brought the Thunderdome crowd to life. A Jack Bull dunk pushed their advantage back to double digits and they cruised to the nine-point win from there.
“They were very aggressive down the stretch, especially getting to the free-throw line and getting some shots,” Menashe said. “We didn’t give up. I’m very happy and it’s a big step toward the second half of the season and coming toward the playoffs.”
The Wolves jumped into an eighth-place tie with McMaster (2-13) and are two points behind seventh-place Guelph (3-13). Algoma (4-11) holds down the sixth and final playoff spot with eight points.
Beyond the arc: The Thunderwolves last hit the century mark on Jan. 26, 2013 against Laurier.
