GUELPH, Ont. – Friday night (Nov. 1) at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre, the Gryphons men's basketball team put together a solid performance on their home court, defeating the Nipissing Lakers by a score of 73-65. It marks the first win of the young 2024-25 regular season for the Gryphons, who improve to 1-3, while the Nipissing Lakers fall to 1-2.
 
Helping lead the way for the Gryphons on Friday night was U of G rookie guard, Amare Hamilton. The 19-year-old Mississauga native came off the bench to score a game-high 20 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor (4-of-8 from beyond the arc). Fellow rookie, Jack Tunstill (St. Thomas, ON), added a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) while Shaathon Walker chipped in with 10 points. With the game tied at the half, the Gryphons came out strong in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the visitors from North Bay 22-12. Gryphons freshman guard, Amare Hamilton, contributed in that 3rd quarter, with one of his four made three pointers on the night coming in the form of a four-point play, with Hamilton connecting from the corner despite a foul before hitting the ensuing free throw. The Gryphons strong start to the second half would allow them to take a 10-point lead into the final quarter, en route to the first win of the season for the youthful 2024-25 Gryphon squad. The Gryphons (1-3) will return to action midweek next week, with a Wednesday night (Nov. 6) road game in Toronto against the TMU Bold (2-1). Tip at the Mattamy Athletic Centre is set for 8pm on Wednesday, with the game streamed live online at oua.tv. The Gryphons men's basketball team will then return to their home court again on Saturday, November 9 for an 8pm matchup with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.