MBB - Voyageurs drop season opener to Ridgebacks

The men's basketball team traveled to Oshawa on Thursday, to play the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks. The Ridgebacks defeated the Voyageurs 77-65 in their season opener.

To start off the game, Voyageurs' Ismael Konate and Caillou Lacroix dropped one basket each, and the Ridgebacks quickly answered to tie the game. A few minutes later, Konate, Lacroix, Gaëtan Chamand and Kamil Dia Hantchi made a combination of 9 points to give the Vees the lead, five minutes into the game. The Ridgebacks got their offence in order, which was proven by a score of 21-18 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, second year guard Pierre Mukandila added 5 points to the board, followed by Daniel Muila with 2 himself. Konate and Lacroix added a combination of 6 points, but the Ridgebacks tied the game at 32 points a piece going into the half.

The men added 16 more points on the scoreboard in the third quarter, from Hantchi, Chamand, Muila, Mukandila and Konate, while the Ridgebacks added 20 points, giving them the lead once again.

In the last ten minutes, the Ridgebacks started off strong, making 8 points in three minutes, extending their lead. Shortly after the seven-minute mark, Mukandila made a layup, followed by Hantchi with a 3-point shot. The Voyageurs' score was getting closer, with points from Lacroix and Chamand, but unfortunately the Ridgebacks took the win 77-65.

The standout performers were Pierre Mukandila and Caillou Lacroix with 15 points each, Gaëtan Chamand and Kamil Dia Hantchi with 10 points each and Ismael Konate with 8 points and 5 rebounds.

The Voyageurs are back in action tomorrow night, against the Queen's Gaels at 8pm.

-Madison Boileau