Ben Johnson Named OUA Athlete of the Week

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 30, 2012

Ben Johnson Named OUA's Male Athlete of the Week

THUNDER BAY, ON -

The OUA confirmed Lakehead Athletics' hopes on Monday afternoon, selecting Ben Johnson as the Pioneer Energy Male Athlete of the Week (week ending Jan 29).

Ben Johnson (Pictou, N.S.) had an exceptional weekend for the Lakehead Thunderwolves. The fourth year guard led his team to a critical sweep over the Windsor Lancers to remain atop the OUA West division. Johnson connected on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc on Friday evening, only to out-do himself on Saturday, hitting a whopping nine three-pointers (out of 12 attempts) in Saturday's win. Johnson was knocking them down from all over, in transition, spotting up, and in clutch moments when the Lancers were mounting an impressive rally.

Johnson's nine three's set a new Lakehead record for most three point baskets in a game. He also had two rebounds, two assists and one steal on Saturday.



--

Hugh Mullally

Sports Information Director

Lakehead University Athletics

Office: 807 766 7157
Fax: (807) 343-8203
www.thunderwolves.ca

Lakehead 85 Windsor 79 (Game 2)

Lakehead Earns Big Road Sweep with 84-79 Win over Windsor

The Lakehead Thunderwolves improved in the areas needed from Friday night and also continued to display a hot hand from the outside in beating the tough Windsor Lancers. With top defensive player Greg Carter battling foul trouble the entire game and Venzal Russell cold from the field, LU's other starters and bench stepped up for the second night in a row.

Ben Johnson was on fire from the outside knocking down 9-12 from 3pt land to finish with a weekend high of 29 points in 37 minutes. Joseph Jones and Matthew Schmidt also made major contributions off the bench as Jones had 14 points and a big 7 rebounds (3 offensive) and Schmidt hit two big threes during a second half Lakehead run. Yoosrie Salhia was also strong for LU battling much bigger bodies in the paint to score 14 points and add 8 rebounds.

The game was tight as Lakehead won the first 3 quarters, by 1, 4 and 6 respectively before Windsor edged LU in the deciding 4th.

LU improved on last night's turnover total by registering only 11 compared to twice that on Friday. Windsor still won the O rebounding battle grabbing 14 to LU's 9 but only 6 of Windsor's second chances came after the 1st quarter. Lakehead was 16-32 from downtown while Windsor was 7-22. At the FT line Windsor was 12-14 to Lakehead's 5-9.

Windsor was led by Lien Phillip who recorded a 17 point 11 rebound double-double (again) and Evan Matthews who had a strong weekend totalling 16 and 6 in game two. Hamilton's Ryan Christie was a beast on the glass grabbing 11 boards, 3 offensive.

Coach Morrison on the win:

We would be fools to try and say that this was not a very big weekend for us. It is not easy to beat a top-ten calibre team like Windsor one time in their house let alone two. However we would also be fools if we thought that we won any kind of championship here tonight. We have 6 tough games left, and while this weekend has helped our cause we have much work left to do. Waterloo is now our focus and our goals are to recover and put in a great week of prep.

For

Lakehead 87 Windsor 83 (Video Highlights)

'Wolves Win Shootout in Windsor

The Lakehead Thunderwolves toughed out a close 87-83 win in game 1 of the weekend series in Windsor. The Thunderwolves battled foul trouble for much of the game but received good production from bench "bigs" Matthew Schmidt, Adam Johnson and Anthony McIntosh who combined for 20 points and 5 rebounds.

Lakehead had a good start jumping out to a 19-10 first quarter lead aided by Windsor starting 3-14 from the field. Starting in the second quarter Windsor found the range and brought the game to a 6 point lead at the half.

The third quarter both teams filled the hoop with Lakehead grabbing a 7 point lead to start the 4th quarter. Clutch 3pt shooting and offensive rebounding by the Lancers brought the game within one point but Ben Johnson hit a clutch 3pt shot and two big free throws in the last minute to push the 'Wolves over the top.

Windsor was led by Enrico Diloreto who had 22 on 7-16 shooting. Lien Phillip recorded his third straight double-double against the visitors with 12 and 12.

Playing in front of friends and family for the first time, Venzal Russell scored 20 on 8-18 shooting including 4-7 from downtown. Ben Johnson was 5-10 for 19 and Greg Carter added 13 and 6 assists.

From a team standpoint, Windsor won the battle of the O boards (16-5) and turnovers (21-22) but Lakehead won the 3pt shooting battle going 13-27 to Windsor's 8-21.

Coach Morrison on the win:

It was a great game that could have went either way. Windsor is the biggest team we have faced in some time and do a great job using their size on the defensive end as well as the O glass. We were fortunate to hit some tough shots throughout the game to keep our heads above water. Its hard to count on outside shooting to win games so tomorrow we are going to have to take better care of the ball on offense and increase our rebounding effort on the defensive end.

Lakehead Basketball Announces 1st Recruiting Commit for 2012

Hamilton Product Dwayne Harvey Commits to Lakehead University Men’s Basketball

January 26, 2012

Lakehead University Athletics Department is pleased to announce the recent commitment of 5’11” combo guard Dwayne Harvey to transfer to Lakehead University and join the men’s basketball program in September 2012.

Harvey is a graduate of Cathedral High School in Hamilton (2009) from which he signed with NCAADivision 1 Alabama State University. At ASU, Harvey red-shirted during the 2009-10 season before playing 13 minutes per game in 23 games for the Hornets including the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Harvey transferred from ASU to Wilbur Wright College in Chicago for the current season where he is averaging over 11 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds per contest with the Rams.

Lakehead Assistant Coach Matt Erdman, a fellow Cathedral alum, has been a part of Harvey’s recruitment starting in 2007 and again since leaving Alabama State; “ It is great that we are able to add a player of Dwayne’s caliber to our program. Having watched and known him since his early years at Cathedral, I am confident he will not only add strength to our guard rotation but also be a fine addition to the campus and local community.”

Harvey, a member of the Dean’s list at Alabama State, is expected to enroll at Lakehead University this summer and is looking forward to joining his future teammates; “I am excited to have committed to Thunderwolves basketball and also to finish my studies at Lakehead University where I can reach my academic goals.” Said Harvey from his current residence in Chicago, “It will be an honor to play for one of the CIS contenders and fun to run up and down with a good group of hard working players like Greg Carter, Ryan Thomson and the rest of the lineup.”

Lakehead Head Coach Scott Morrison feels Harvey is a great fit for the program; “Dwayne is someone our coaching staff and many of our current players have been familiar with for some time. We feel that he will have no trouble sliding into our current system and show that he is an elite player for the next three seasons. He has been successful on the court and in the classroom during each phase of his career and we are excited to welcome him to our basketball family.”

As a high school senior with the Cathedral Gaels, Harvey earned the distinction of being only the second Canadian to be named Most Outstanding Player at the prestigious Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. (Known as the top Catholic School tournament in North America) Dwayne joined past winners such as NBA players Mark Karcher, Kyle Lowry, Rasual Butler and Carmelo Anthony.

Harvey is known for his up-tempo style of play and sound ball pressure. With three years of eligibility remaining he is expected to add depth to next season’s back court while providing a longer term answer at the guard spot for the ‘Wolves who will graduate up to seven players in 2013.

A Hamilton Spectator feature on Dwayne Harvey playing in the NCAA Tournament (March 2011)

Lakehead 91 McMaster 71 (Video & Media)

Game 2 Video Highlights (Lakehead vs McMaster)

Tbnewswatch.com Game 2 Story (Leith Dunick)