Box Score
GUELPH, Ont. - The Guelph Gryphons men's basketball team slumped 87-55 to the visiting Lakehead Thunderwolves in the first phase of this weekend's double-header. The loss drops the Gryphons to 5-11 and boosts the Thunderwolves to 11-5.
 
The Gryphons were led by Trevor Thompson (Burlington, ON) with eight points on the night. Lakehead was led by Ryan Thompson (Oakville, ON) with 22 points.
 
To open the game, Kareem Malcom (Brampton, ON) sparked an early Gryphon burst by striking first from beyond the arc.  His attack was complimented by Dan McCarthy (Guelph, ON) to stretch a 7-0 Gryphon lead. But, despite the strong start from the Gryphons, the offence fell out of synch with the defensive effort to allow the Thunderwolves to mount a comeback to steal the lead at 12-11.  However, the Lakehead lead was cut short with three seconds left as Zach Angus (Burlington, ON) unleashed for three to take a 14-12 lead to end the first.  
The last second offensive surge carried through into the second with Trevor Thompson charging the paint for two to stretch the Gryphon lead.  However, with the quick field goal, both offensive units stalled until Nathan Wainright attacked for his first three of the quarter to reboot the Lakehead offence to take their first lead of the quarter.  Good use of offensive and defensive rebounds allowed the Gryphons to check the Lakehead attack, but missed attempts kept the lead out of Gryphon reach as the half wound down at 35-23.
 
The Gryphons' offensive woes continued into the third as Lakehead marched ahead with a quick two-play drive to extend the lead by five. Michel Clark (Burlington, ON) and Zach Angus combined to keep the Gryphon unit alive, but Ryan Thompson continued his third quarter attack as he scored his 13th point of the quarter to push the Thunderwolves ahead 70-33.
 
Ben Johnson (Pictou, NS) carried the Lakehead tempo into the final quarter with a deep attack for three. Clark was quick to respond with his own three, and was followed shortly after by Dan Thompson (Burlington, ON) to kick-start the Gryphon offence  which outshot the Thunderwolves 22-17 for their most productive frame of the night.  Unfortunately the offensive drive came too late as the clock wound down to give the Thunderwolves the 87-55 victory.
 
The Gryphons face off with the Thunderwolves for redemption tomorrow night (Feb. 2) at the W.F Mitchell Centre.  Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm.