GUELPH, Ont. - Often times in sports you will hear of a game coming right down to the wire. There is no more perfect definition and example of what exactly that means than the finish to Saturday's contest between the Guelph Gryphons and Windsor Lancers at the GGAC. In a game that saw both teams take big leads, as well as both teams trade blows when the game got tight, it wasn't until the final buzzer sounded that the result was made clear.
Leading 94-93 in the dying seconds, the Gryphons found themselves racing back down the court towards their own end as the Lancers pushed the ball forward. Scrambling from an offence to defence transition, the Gryphons did their best to find their respective man and hold their lead. After a Lancer's three point shot missed the target, pure chaos ensued as both teams scrambled for the loose ball with less than three seconds remaining on the clock. In the end, it was Keenan Dowell wrapping his arms tightly around the ball as time expired and the Gryphons, along with their fans began to celebrate.
Just like how the game ended, full of excitement and energy, the beginning of the game was very similar. With both teams making baskets, neither side was able to establish much more than a four point lead. With Windsor up 20-18 in the late stages of the opening quarter, the visitors managed to go on a small run further extending their lead to 26-20 after one.
All throughout the second quarter both teams exchanged runs. If Guelph scored four points in a row, Windsor would score four in a row after. If the Lancers went on a 6-0 run, the Gryphons would quickly return the favour. As halftime hit, each team had scored 21 points in the quarter giving Windsor a 47-41 lead at the break.
Entering the third down by six, the Gryphons put together an incredible ten minutes of play. Connecting on eight three-pointers in the frame, while playing tremendous defence, the home side began to take over. Going on a 16-0 run at one point, Guelph went on to outscore the Lancers 30-11 in the quarter and suddenly hold a 71-58 advantage after three.
As you would expect, the Lancers did not go anywhere despite the deficit. With Windsor pushing back, the Gryphons were forced to continue fighting. Although the game got tight at the end, the Gryphons were able to pull through with a strong defensive possession as the final whistle sounded.
Dowell led the charge for the Gryphons scoring 21 points in the game, and was one of six Gryphons to record double-digit points. On the glass, Aaron Nugent led the team with nine rebounds, while also leading the Gryphons with nine assists. Rasheed Weekes poured in 15 points for Guelph, while Trevor Hutton scored 13.
Back in the win column, the Gryphons will now hit the road on Friday when they head to North Bay to take on the Nipissing Lakers.
