GUELPH, Ont. - With only three games remaining in the 2019-20 OUA regular season schedule for the Guelph Gryphons, and the playoffs not yet a certainty, the Gryphons knew they had to take care of business Sunday afternoon at the GGAC. Hosting the Toronto Varsity Blues to close out the home portion of their regular season, the Gryphons put together a strong second half to help lead them to a 91-83 victory.
Right from the very beginning of the contest, you could tell this was going to be a close one throughout and it was exactly that. Playing a first quarter that saw twelve different lead changes, it was safe to say that no lead was safe. With a strong performance from both sides, neither team was able to create a lead larger than four points in the quarter, with the Varsity Blues ultimately holding a 22-20 lead after one.
As the second quarter got underway it was simply more of the same as Guelph and Toronto continued to go back and forth. Although the Varsity Blues were able to extend their game high lead to five, that was essentially the only difference from the opening quarter as Guelph continued to keep the contest within two possessions at worst. With the Gryphons down by five and time running out before the half, Rasheed Weekes connected on a buzzer beating jumper to pull Guelph within three and build up momentum which was quickly translated in to the third.
Carrying over the extra boost from Weekes' field goal, the Gryphons began to make their move in the second half. Locking things down in the defensive zone, Guelph made life very difficult for the Toronto offence in the third quarter holding them to just 14 points. Meanwhile the Gryphon's offence went on an eight to two run to end the quarter and turn what was a three point deficit starting the quarter in to a three point advantage after three.
With just ten minutes separating the home side and a big victory late in the season, the Gryphons went to work in the fourth. For much of the fourth quarter, the Gryphons were able to keep their lead close to five points, with Toronto making various attempts to comeback. However, Guelph fought off the Varsity Blues each and every time. Then with 1:54 to go in the game, Keenan Dowell connected on a big three that got the Gryphon faithful on their feet. From that point on, Guelph would go on to get their lead as high as ten, before coming away with the 91-83 win.
On the stat sheet Malcolm Glanville led all Gryphon's scorers with 19 points. Graduating senior Kieran Naus led the team in assists with six, while also tying for the team lead in rebounds with Banky Alade who each had seven. As a team, the Gryphons shot 52.5% from the field (31 of 59)
The Gryphons will now finish their regular season on the road when they head to Sault Ste. Marie for a pair of weekend games against the Algoma Thunderbirds.
