Gryphon hoops men downed by Ontario Tech
OSHAWA – The Guelph Gryphons suffered their second loss in as many days as they were downed 87-63 by the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in OUA men’s basketball play Saturday at Ontario Tech’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.
The loss was Guelph’s first to the Ridgebacks in Ontario Tech’s four seasons in the league. The Gryphs had won the previous two meetings, scoring more than 90 points in both.
Saturday, Ontario Tech led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter, 43-29 at halftime and 70-42 at the end of the third quarter.
Adrian Morra led the Gryphs with 16 points with 10 coming in the fourth quarter. Emmanuel Ansah had 13 points and 14 rebounds while Viktoras Nausedas had nine points, eight rebounds and two steals. Eric Armstrong had six rebounds.
Five players hit double digits in scoring for Ontario Tech. Zubair Seyed had 20 points while Keon Baker had 15, Stefan Prica and Emmanuel Okonkwo had 12 each and Ayub Nurhussien had 11. Seyed had nine rebounds and four assists while Baker had seven assists and four steals, Okonkwo had three steals and Caleb Kassa had three blocks and three steals.
The Gryphs had 40 rebounds, four assists, no blocks, six steals and 20 turnovers in the match. They also shot 33 percent on field goals, 19 percent on three-pointers, 64 percent on free throws and scored 36 points from the paint, seven off turnovers, 13 on second chances and had 32 from the bench.
The Ridgebacks had 35 rebounds, 19 assists, seven blocks, 13 steals and 12 turnovers and shot 52 percent on field goals, 42 percent on three-pointers and 61 percent on free throws. Ontario Tech also scored 44 points from the paint, 30 off turnovers, six on second chances, 12 on fast breaks and had 30 from the bench.
The Gryphs enter the break for exams and Christmas fourth in the OUA West at 3-7. Laurier Golden Hawks lead at 8-2 and are followed by the Western Mustangs at 7-2, Waterloo Warriors at 5-4, the Gryphs, Windsor Lancers at 2-6 and Algoma Thunderbirds at 1-9.
Ontario Tech and the Queen’s Gaels, who defeated the Gryphs Friday night at Kingston, are tied for second in the OUA East with 7-2 records. Ottawa Gee-Gees lead at 9-0.
The Gryphs are to return from the break with a game against the Toronto Varsity Blues (fourth in the OUA Central at 4-5) Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. at Toronto’s Goldring Centre.
- Guelph Sports Journal