Lakehead Finishes Regular Season in Hamilton

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2013

T-Wolves Visit Marauders for Regular Season Finales

THUNDER BAY, ON -

The basketball teams will finish their regular seasons in Hamilton this weekend against the McMaster Marauders. Both the men and women's teams have a lot riding on the outcome of the games, with the Women trying to lock up a playoff spot, and the Men intent on securing an OUA-West #2 seed, and thus a first round bye in the playoffs.

Women (7-12, OUA-W #6)

With 2 games remaining, the women need to win 1 to secure the 6th and final playoff spot, as they are 1 game ahead of Guelph, who holds the tie breaker over Lakehead. The T-Wolves will have their work cut out for them against a McMaster team (10-9) that won both games last season (73-44 and 74-57) in the Thunderdome.

The Marauders are led this year by Hailey Milligan (15.4 PPG, 11.3 RPG) and Danielle Boiago (14.5 PPG), and as a team shoot the most free throws per game (22.3) in the CIS, although connecting on only 68% of them.

Men (13-6, OUA-W #2, CIS #8)

In the wake of being denied the top seed by Windsor last week, the T-Wolves must keep the pedal to the floor to stay ahead of McMaster (12-7), who trails them by 1 game in the standings. Bearing that in mind, Lakehead need only win 1 game this weekend to secure the #2 seed.

McMaster has won 5 games straight, each by 19+ points, dating back to a 80-73 loss in Windsor on Jan 23. Their top scorers are Joe Rocca (15.2 PPG) and Taylor Black (15.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG), and McMaster shoots among the best in the country from the field (45.1% FG, 36.1% 3FG). 

Coach Scott Morrison:

"Everyone knows these are big games this weekend in Hamilton, and for that reason there should be no doubt about the focus of each team heading into Friday night.  We are looking to continue our season-long goal of improving each weekend in hopes of saving our best ball for this time of year.  McMaster plays an excellent team game and is one of the top rebounding teams in the country. I think both teams match-up well and we should expect to see two excellent ball games."


Webcast Coverage Available via Marauders TV

Game times Friday and Saturday are 6pm (women) and 8pm (men).

Senior Night Wrap Up

For those supporters, friends, family and alumni who were not able to be in Thunder Bay on Saturday February 9th for "Senior Night 2013", please see below to get caught up with what went down.

The Thunderdome filled to celebrate the excellent careers of six graduating team members.
Much has been made about these young men so we will will leave it at that and include the links below for those interested.

5 Minute Highlight Video of Senior Night 2013 (In Case You Missed It)

The On Paper 'Scripts' Read Aloud for Each Graduating Player (For the Record)

'Wolves Finish With Split vs. Windsor on Senior Night

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2013

Lancers Frustrate T-Wolves, Win 64-56

THUNDER BAY, ON -

The men's basketball team struggled to find their shooting touch against a hard-nosed Windsor defense, losing 64-56 on Saturday evening.

Windsor fought hard from the get go to avenge their loss the previous evening, holding a 20-18 edge after 10 minutes of play. In the second quarter, the T-Wolves' offensive output was severely limited, scoring only 8 points to the Lancers 16.

Halftime score was 36-26 Lancers. 

In the third, Lakehead got their offense running again, with a string of plays including a Ryan Thomson 3, followed by a Yoosria Salhia blocked shot and Greg Carter transition lay-up to close the gap to 38-33. That momentum would be snuffed out by the Lancers, but not responded to on the offensive end as Lakehead out-scored the Lancers 10-7 in the 3rd Q.

In the final quarter the Lancers would hit clutch three pointers, courtesy of Enrico Diloreto and Michael Petrella, the second of which came with under 2 minutes to play to give the Lancers a 63-56 lead and effectively terminating any Lakehead comeback.

Lakehead was led by Yoosrie Salhia with 16 points and 15 rebounds, followed by Matt Schmidt with 14, who shot a perfect 4-4 from downtown and grabbed 7 rebounds. Ryan Thomson added 10 points in the loss.

Top scorer for the Lancers was Diloreto with 22, while Lien Phillip scored 8 points with 11 rebounds.

Coach Scott Morrison:

"Windsor played tough tonight. They got exactly what they wanted from their full court pressure in the form of turnovers and indecision from our backcourt. I was pleased with our effort but our execution did not match Friday's results. It's all about next week right now and working hard to get one more W."

_

Prior to the game Lakehead honoured it's 6 graduating seniors, Ben Johnson, Yoosrie Salhia, Brendan King, Greg Carter, Matt Schmidt and Joseph Jones. They were all presented with framed jerseys.

--

Hugh Mullally

Sports Information Director

Lakehead University Athletics

Office: 807 766 7157

Fax: (807) 343-8203 

'Wolves Finish With Split vs. Windsor - Final Conference Games @ McMaster This Weekend

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2013

Lancers Frustrate T-Wolves, Win 64-56

THUNDER BAY, ON -

The men's basketball team struggled to find their shooting touch against a hard-nosed Windsor defense, losing 64-56 on Saturday evening.

Windsor fought hard from the get go to avenge their loss the previous evening, holding a 20-18 edge after 10 minutes of play. In the second quarter, the T-Wolves' offensive output was severely limited, scoring only 8 points to the Lancers 16.

Halftime score was 36-26 Lancers. 

In the third, Lakehead got their offense running again, with a string of plays including a Ryan Thomson 3, followed by a Yoosria Salhia blocked shot and Greg Carter transition lay-up to close the gap to 38-33. That momentum would be snuffed out by the Lancers, but not responded to on the offensive end as Lakehead out-scored the Lancers 10-7 in the 3rd Q.

In the final quarter the Lancers would hit clutch three pointers, courtesy of Enrico Diloreto and Michael Petrella, the second of which came with under 2 minutes to play to give the Lancers a 63-56 lead and effectively terminating any Lakehead comeback.

Lakehead was led by Yoosrie Salhia with 16 points and 15 rebounds, followed by Matt Schmidt with 14, who shot a perfect 4-4 from downtown and grabbed 7 rebounds. Ryan Thomson added 10 points in the loss.

Top scorer for the Lancers was Diloreto with 22, while Lien Phillip scored 8 points with 11 rebounds.

Coach Scott Morrison:

"Windsor played tough tonight. They got exactly what they wanted from their full court pressure in the form of turnovers and indecision from our backcourt. I was pleased with our effort but our execution did not match Friday's results. It's all about next week right now and working hard to get one more W."

_

Prior to the game Lakehead honoured it's 6 graduating seniors, Ben Johnson, Yoosrie Salhia, Brendan King, Greg Carter, Matt Schmidt and Joseph Jones. They were all presented with framed jerseys.

--

Hugh Mullally

Sports Information Director

Lakehead University Athletics

Office: 807 766 7157

Fax: (807) 343-8203 

#10 'Wolves Take Game 1 Over #4 Windsor

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2013

T-Wolves Prevail Over Lancers, 70-64

THUNDER BAY, ON -

The men's basketball team protected home turf on Friday evening, handing the Windsor Lancers a 70-64 loss in front of a capacity crowd in the Thunderdome, and 260+ more watching online. In a battle of the top two teams in the OUA West, Lakehead got the job done with hustle and a desire to re-assert themselves as a contender in the CIS, having the #4 ranked team in the nation on their court. 

The Lancers wold not go down easily, however, battling from the tip to lead 17-15 after the first quarter. The T-Wolves closed out the first half strong to lead 36-30 at the break. 

Lakehead would open up a 10-point lead in the third quarter, but Windsor refused to go away, battling back to come within 2 points of the T-Wolves in the final minutes of the 4th quarter.

In a game that saw great dunks, impressive shots and sweat poured out by the gallon, the show was stolen by the rebounding of Yoosrie Salhia, who pulled down a total of 15 boards to go with 13 points. With Lakehead clutching to a lead with under 2 minutes to go, Salhia fought off three Windsor Lancers to secure an offensive rebound, reset the shot clock, and provide a steadying force for Lakehead to close out the game.

Top scorer for Lakehead was Ryan Thomson with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Ben Johnson added 11, including a clutch floater in the lane in crunch time.

For Windsor, Lien Philip had 13 points to go with 7 rebounds. Ismar Seferagic had 9 points.

Lakehead out-rebounded Windsor 43-35.

Coach Scott Morrison:

"It was an exciting ball game tonight from a fan's perspective and from a coach's perspective I am pleased with the effort and toughness our guys showed tonight.

We knew rebounding would be a key factor and I was pleased with our second chance efforts on the glass and the collective team effort as 11 different guys picked up a board tonight.  Windsor hurt us with their full court pressure and that will be one of the first things we can look to for improvement tomorrow.  Should be another dogfight tomorow night."

The two teams will rematch tomorrow at 8pm in a game that will determine who will take top spot in the OUA West. It will also be Seniors Night, as the Thunderwolves will see 6 players in their final regular season home game - Yoosrie Salhia, Greg Carter, Matt Schmidt, Brendan King, Joseph Jones and Ben Johnson.

Webcast will be available via SSN Canada. Audio broadcast available via CILU Radio, 102.7 FM, www.luradio.ca

--

Hugh Mullally

Sports Information Director

Lakehead University Athletics

Office: 807 766 7157

Fax: (807) 343-8203 

2013 Senior Night Features OUA West Weekend Showdown

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 6, 2013

Windsor Lancers Enter Thunderdome for Seniors' Night Battle

THUNDER BAY, ON -

The Windsor Lancers visit the Thunderdome this weekend for a duo of double headers against the men's and women's teams. Saturday night's games will mark Seniors' Night, as the women's team will have 1 player (Carolyn Fragale) and the men's team 6 players (Greg Carter, Yoosrie Salhia, Matt Schmidt, Brendan King, Joseph Jones and Ben Johnson) playing their final regular season games in the Thunderdome.

CLICK HERE FOR BACK COURT CLUB "THANK YOU" TO OUR 6 SENIORS

(CLICK HERE FOR BRIEF GRADUATING PLAYER PROFILE)

Men (12-5, 2nd place OUA-W, CIS #10)

After many questions were raised following the first semester as to Thunderwolves' knack to hang with the best in the country, the T-Wolves' efforts to answer those have begun to resonate around the CIS, with Lakehead returning to the Top 10 this week at #10. They will face a Windsor team (14-3) that has enjoyed CIS Top 10 rankings the majority of the season, and currently sits in the #4 spot. More importantly, Windsor sits in atop the OUA West, 2 games ahead of Lakehead, who with two wins this weekend could take first place in the OUA West for the first time this season.

To do so they will have to deal with a tough Lancer lineup, led by center Lien Phillip (14.9 PPG, 10.4 RPG), who leads the OUA in total rebounds (5 ahead of T-Wolf Yoosrie Salhia). Add to that shooting guard Enrico Diloreto's 14.4 PPG and point guard Josh Collins' 4.4 assists per game, and Thunderwolf fans can look forward to a multitude of match-up battles for Lakehead's senior players.

Coach Scott Morrison:

"After a good start to the semester, this weekend represents the ultimate test to see if we have indeed progressed since a tough first semester. Windsor is as close to a division 1 type lineup that we have seen since Carleton back in November. We will have to execute our game plan and attempt to contain the excellent 1 on 1 players that Windsor puts on the court at every position."

Webcast Coverage will be available via SSN Canada. Audio broadcast available via CILU Radio, 102.7FM andwww.luradio.ca

Fri, Feb 8 & Sat Feb 9

Women - 6pm

Men - 8pm

'Wolves Complete Sweep of Guelph - Host Windsor Next Week

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2013

Men's Basketball Sweep Gryphons With 79-66 Win

GUELPH, ON -

With a 79-66 win on Saturday evening, the men's basketball team (12-5) secured the weekend sweep over the Guelph Gryphons. The T-Wolves are now 9-1 in 2013.

Lakehead jumped out to a 25-13 lead after the first quarter. Following that, the two teams would exchange scoring runs, but Lakehead would maintain a 10-point cushion for the remainder of the game, thanks to tough defensive play and an incredibly efficient shooting performance by Ryan Thomson.

Thomson continued his scoring streak against the Guelph team, this time scoring 22 points on a near perfect shooting night, going 8-of-9 from the field (4-4 from three), hitting both of his free throws and grabbing 5 rebounds. Ben Johnson hit 2 threes en route to a 10-point, 5 rebound performance.

Yoosrie Salhia scored 10 and grabbed 11 rebounds (5 offensive) as he continues his crusade for the OUA rebounding crown (currently sitting in 2nd with 172, 5 back of Windsor's Lien Phillip). Salhia added 3 steals and 2 blocked shots in 29 minutes of play.

Three other Thunderwolves scored 9 points, led by Greg Carter who also dropped 5 dimes in the contest, along with Joe Hart (Southend, UK) and Matthew Schmidt (Thunder Bay, ON).

Guelph was led by Ahmed Haroon with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Dan McCarthy scored 17 while Jack Beatty chipped in 11.

Lakehead out-rebounded Guelph 33-16, in a game that saw both teams shoot well from the floor (Lakehead 49%, Guelph 47%).

Coach Scott Morrison:

"It was a great character win tonight against a Guelph team that did not back down and kept coming at us. I was proud of our guys who battled over 40 minutes including several hustle plays that will likely remain with us this week in the form of floor burns. Now it is time to rest up and get ready for the "fun" stuff as we have to consider the playoffs starting next week."

The men face the Windsor Lancers (14-3, OUA West #1, CIS #4) in the Thunder Dome next weekend in a series that will see the top 2 teams in the OUA West face off in a marquis match-up that Thunder Bay's basketball faithful have long been awaiting.

Saturday night's game will be Seniors Night. The Thunderwolves will see the final regular season games played by 6 graduating members of the men's team, as well as 1 graduating member of the women's team.