MBB | Mustangs Gallop Past Voyageurs in 4th Quarter

The Laurentian men's basketball team began another weekend road trip Friday night in London to face off against the Western Mustangs where they ended falling just short in a hard fought game by a score of 92-84.

Laurentian, right from opening tip off, showed real fight and determination in their game at Alumni Hall, hitting big shots early on and not allowing the Mustangs any easy scores. The first quarter was a very close one and led by the 10 points and 6 rebounds of Caillou Lacroix in the quarter meant that Laurentian was tied 19-19 going into the second quarter. 

It was clear to everyone in the building throughout the first half that both teams would have to fight for every inch in this game and, although the Voyageurs went into the half time break down 4 points, they were showing real signs of a strong team performance. They were hitting big shots when needed and playing stellar defense limiting the Mustangs offense to just 2-11 three point shooting in the half.

In the third, it was more of the same from the Voyageurs as Kamil Dia Hantchi brought some much-needed defensive energy off the bench and the offense continued to feed off it. They outrebounded Western 12-5 in the third quarter along with 4 of those rebounds being on offense meant that Laurentian were up 68-65 with just ten minutes to go.

However, in the fourth, the Mustangs were allowed to pull away as they shot 11-20 in the period while Voyageurs were only able to muster six field goals.  The Voyageurs also missed opportunities at free points, going just 13-22 from the free throw line in the game.  It all meant that Laurentian would come up just short losing in the end, 92-84.

Tonight's key performers were Caillou Lacroix who notched a double-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds and Cedric Mbiaba who picked up a double-double of his own with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

The Voyageurs go again Saturday night against the Windsor Lancers with tip-off set for 8 pm.

Andrew Lemieux