Gryphon basketball men fade in loss to Gee-Gees

GUELPH – A mid-game fade by the Guelph Gryphons proved to be costly for the Guelph Gryphons in their OUA men’s basketball season opener Friday night at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre.

The Gryphs were dropped 86-66 by the Ottawa Gee-Gees after being outscored 45-25 in the second and third quarters combined.

The teams were tied 20-20 after the first quarter before Ottawa shot ahead 43-34 by halftime. The Gee-Gees extended the lead to 65-45 by the end of the third quarter.

Dezayne Mingo led the Gryphs with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals while Mathew Oliver collected 12 points and Raef Wykes had nine. Emmanuel Ansah had six rebounds and two steals.

Dragan Stajic had 18 points for the Gee-Gees while Centre Wellington brothers Brock and Cole Newton both started for Ottawa. Brock had 17 points and two rebounds while Cole had five points, five rebounds and four steals. Jacques-Melaine Guemeta had 13 points while Khalifa Koulamallah had six rebounds and Kevin Otoo also had four steals.

The Gryphs grabbed 25 rebounds, had eight steals and 19 turnovers. They shot 35 percent on field goals, 30 percent on three-pointers and 75 percent on free throws and also scored 14 points in the paint, 12 off turnovers, eight on second chances and 34 from their bench.

Ottawa pulled down 36 rebounds and had 12 steals and 19 turnovers. The Gee-Gees shot 51 percent on field goals, 29 percent on three-pointers and 84 percent on free throws and they also scored 42 points in the paint, 22 off turnovers, seven on second chances and 24 from their bench.

The Gryphs are to host the Carleton Ravens, the reigning national champs, at GGAC Saturday at 8 p.m. in Carleton’s season opener.

• Guelph Sports Journal