THUNDER BAY – The Guelph Gryphons men's basketball team have started 2018 on a high – with a well-earned road victory. The Gryphons showcased a balanced offensive attack and held on for a comfortable 96-85 win over the Lakehead Thunderwolves at C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse on a cold Friday night in Thunder Bay.
 
Given the five weeks off from league play, a road game, and the bad memory of heading into the holidays on the heels of a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss against Queen's their last time out, head coach Chris O'Rourke was pleased with the performance.
 
"It wasn't perfect but we executed the offence at a high level," the coach said. "That was a positive. Our D let us down a bit but overall, we did a very good job."

 
Guelph's veteran guard trio of Jonathan Wallace, Taylor Boers and Daniel Dooley led the way against a gritty Lakehead team that didn't quit despite trailing big at different points of the game.
 
Dooley, who entered the night needing 21 points for 1,000 in his Gryphon career, took over in the second half. He finished with 17 points, while leading all players in assists (6) and three-pointers (3). Boers had a team-high 21 points, 16 coming in the first half, and Wallace added 12 more. Banky Alade chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds with Tommy Yanchus coming off the bench for 9 points and 6 boards.
 
Lakehead was in search of a fresh start as interim coach Ryan Thomson took charge for his first game. The Thunderwolves came into the night 0-10 on the OUA season but as Guelph went up by as much as 20, the hosts kept their intensity level high and made the visitors earn it in the end. Lakehead got it down to single digits at 91-83 with 22 seconds left but Boers answered with four straight free throws and a short jumper to finish things.
 
"We talked about it before the game," O'Rourke said of Lakehead's coaching change. "We knew they would come out inspired."
 
The Gryphons were sharp offensively and produced two monster runs in the first half to cripple the Thunderwolves. The first came in the final 2:40 of the opening quarter as Guelph scored 10 points unanswered. Then after a good stretch on the defensive glass in the second quarter that led to many one-and-dones for Lakehead, the hosts went on a big 17-2 run. The Gryphons led by as many as 19 in the first half and went into the break ahead 51-35.
 
Boers was on fire early, nailing 5 of his first 6 shots (2 of 3 from long range) for 16 first-half points.
 
O'Rourke expects the Gryphons to make some adjustments in the second game of the weekend doubleheader against the Thunderwolves Saturday night. Lakehead guards Mor Menashe and Nick Burke were a headache Friday night, leading the hosts with 21 and 20 points respectively.
 
"They are two explosive guards who slash their way to the basket," said O'Rourke. "We'll have to be better at both ends.
 
"The challenge is to be mentally ready to play for 40 minutes."
 
The opening tip is at 8 pm.