GUELPH, Ont. - Taking on the top team in their division Saturday afternoon at the GGAC, the Guelph Gryphons were able to go stride for stride with the Western Mustangs. However, despite knocking down 12 three-pointers as a team and a 25 point performance from Tommy Yanchus, the Gryphons ultimately fell 89-78 to the visiting Mustangs.
Playing their final game before the December break, the Gryphons put forth a strong effort but were not able to turn it into a pre-Christmas victory.
Right out of the gate the home team came out on fire. Connecting on three straight three-pointers to begin the game, and six in the quarter, the Gryphons were able to establish themselves a lead in the opening quarter. Getting their advantage as big as nine points, Guelph took a 24-19 advantage into the second quarter of play.
Despite holding the lead for much of the second, a quick 6-0 run from Western at the end of the quarter wound up giving the Mustangs a 42-41 lead at the half.
With no lead getting bigger than three points for either team for the first seven minutes of the second-half, the game was very much becoming a back and forth battle. However, much like the ending of the second quarter, a late run from Western created a bit of separation for the visitors. Scoring the final five points of the third, the Mustangs took a 67-58 lead into the final ten minutes of play.
Although down by nine points to start the fourth, and double-digits early into it, the Gryphons kept fighting and got themselves right back into the contest. Down 71-61, Guelph went on a 10-0 run to tie up the score at 71 a piece. From there, the game remained a one possession contest up until the final couple of minutes. Down by just a point, 77-76 with 3:01 to play, the Gryphons continued to maintain pace with Western, but did not quite have enough left in the tank over the final two minutes as the Mustangs went on to win 89-78.
"We responded from Wednesday and to me that was a positive," said Gryphon's head coach Chris O'Rourke. "We got down ten and we were able to claw back and get the game tied. We showed some grit and character there, but still there are no consolation prizes."
With 10 points and 16 rebounds Rasheed Weekes tallied a double-double in the contest, while Keenan Dowell was able to pour in 17 points for Guelph. Malcolm Glanville led the team in assists with seven.
Guelph will now head into the December break with a 3-7 record. Their OUA schedule will not resume until the new year. The Gryphons will hit the road to Oshawa to take on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on January 8. Guelph will not be back in the GGAC until January 15 when they host Laurier.
