Gryphons hoops men drop opener at Windsor

WINDSOR – The Guelph Gryphons surrendered five points in the final 14 seconds as they were nipped 82-80 by the Windsor Lancers in their OUA men’s basketball league opener Wednesday at the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse.

A three-pointer by Rasheed Weekes put the Gryphs ahead by three with 24 seconds to play. However, back-to-back layups by Jake Polski (14 seconds to play) and Thomas Kennedy (six seconds to play) put Windsor ahead and Telloy Simon added a free throw at the buzzer.

Windsor 82 Guelph Gryphons 80

The teams were tied 18-18 at the end of the first quarter before the Lancers shot ahead to lead 37-33 at the half. The Gryphs cut another point out of the difference by the end of the third quarter as the hosts carried a 60-57 lead into the final quarter.

Khalid Ismail finished with 25 points and four steals for the Gryphs while Weekes had 14 points and three steals and Malcolm Glanville had 12 points and seven rebounds. Jalen Mason had 10 points and five rebounds.

Kennedy had a game-high 26 points and 21 rebounds for Windsor while Shakael Pryce had 17 points and Josis Mikia-Thomas had 10 points and five rebounds.

The Gryphs shot 38 percent on field goals, 35 percent on three-pointers and 82 percent on free throws. Windsor shot 44 percent on field goals, 26 percent on three-pointers and 50 percent on free throws.

The Gryphs collected 26 points off turnovers, seven on second chances and 33 from their bench. The Lancers had 22 points off turnovers, 14 on second chances and 16 from their bench.

The loss marked the fourth consecutive season the Gryphs have dropped their season opener.

The Gryphs and Lancers are to clash again Saturday at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre. Game time is 4 p.m.

• Guelph Sports Journal