GUELPH, Ont. – A monster performance from Gryphons' third year guard
Tommy Yanchus on Saturday night at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre was ultimately spoiled by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the visiting Algoma Thunderbirds, who came out on top of a wild finish, handing the Gryphons a heartbreaking 84-83 loss.
Yanchus, a third year guard and Guelph native, exploded for a career-high 30 points, including an incredible 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. With :20 seconds remaining, Yanchus knocked down a three-pointer to give the Gryphons an 80-79 lead. With :06 seconds remaining, Yanchus connected from beyond the arc once again, this time putting the Gryphons in front 83-81.
Gryphons 3rd year guard Tommy Yanchus
But on the game's final possession, the Thunderbirds would steal the win, as Algoma guard Jermaine Lyles would sink a corner three as time expired to give the T-birds an 84-83 win. With the result, both teams now sit at 5-15 on the season, one game back of McMaster (6-14) for the final playoff spot in the OUA West.
Saturday night's game marked the second meeting in as many nights for the two teams, with the Gryphons using a big second half on Friday evening to hand Algoma a 77-72 loss. This time around however, it would be the Thunderbirds coming on late to secure the win. Algoma poured in 36 points in a back-and-forth final quarter to help erase a seven-point deficit after three quarters.
Aside from a monster night from Tommy Yanchus, the Gryphons also received several other key contributions. Sophomore forward
Banky Alade made a big impact off the bench, scoring 16 points to go along with 8 rebounds. Fifth year point guard
Daniel Dooley chipped in with 13 points and also did an excellent job distributing the ball, finishing the night with 4 assists, a pair of which were to set up go-ahead three's from Yanchus late in the fourth. Leading the way for Algoma was fourth year guard Ian Nash (Detroit, Michigan) who scored 24 points on 10-16 shooting.
The Gryphons now have four games remaining in their regular season schedule and will next be in action on Friday, February 9 when they travel to the University of Waterloo to take on the Warriors. Tip is set for 8pm at U of W.
