GUELPH, Ont. - Knowing they were going to have their hands full on Sunday afternoon, the Guelph Gryphons came to battle but did not quite have enough in the tank to take down the Central division leading Lakehead Thunderwolves at the GGAC. Having won their first three games of 2020, the Gryphons suffered their first loss of the new year falling 80-66.
In a game that saw the Gryphons and Thunderwolves go back and forth throughout the first half of play, it was ultimately the visitors who were able to build a lead in the second-half to come away victorious.
During the early stages of the contest it was the defence on both sides getting the job down. Although Lakehead was able to jump out to a quick 7-0 lead just 1:23 into the game, from that point on both defences performed exceptionally well. With the Gryphons holding the Thunderwolves to just 12 points for the rest of the quarter, Guelph found themselves down 19-14 after one.
In the second quarter, after the Gryphons had narrowed the Lakehead lead to just one point, the visiting Thunderwolves went on a 12-0 run to open up a 13 point lead. However, Not fazed at all, Guelph began to battle back.
The Gryphons countered right back with a 15-6 run over the remainder of the frame pulling themselves within just four points at halftime, trailing 37-33.
Playing a tightly contested contest entering the third quarter, both teams continued to try and break away from the other but would not have much luck. Through the first five and a half minutes of the third, the two teams exchanged baskets with the biggest lead being just five points in favour of Lakehead. Unfortunately for the Gryphs, the Thunderwolves went on a small run to end the quarter ultimately giving them a ten point lead after three.
Although the Gryphons were able to get the lead to as little as five during the final quarter, the Thunderwolves were able to take control of the game from there on out and come away with the 80-66 win.
Leading the way for Guelph, were Aaron Nugent and Malcolm Glanville who each tallied 14 points. Nugent also led the team with seven rebounds, while Glanville had a team high five assists.
With the loss, the Gryphons dropped to 6-8 on the season but still remain in third place in the OUA's West division.
The Gryphons will now get set to visit the Western Mustangs on Wednesday.
