MBB | Voyageurs Make Statement Win in Playoff Opener

The Voyageurs started their playoff run on a strong note on Wednesday night, as they made a statement win against the Windsor Lancers by a score of 94-66. 

The Voyageurs came out flying, by scoring 26 points on 47.1% shooting. But the even more impressive feat was the Voyageurs restricting their opponents to just nine points on 23.5% shooting in the first quarter. Kadre Gray led the pack with seven points and was followed by Sam Ivey with six, Cedric Nga Mbiaba and Joseph Hlady with five points each. Furthermore, their 60% shooting from the three-point line and a 12-0 run towards the end of the quarter, all played a big role in them achieving this 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Lancers were led by Telloy Simon with five points and Thomas Kennedy with four points. 

But the Voyageurs were well aware that their opponents are quite capable of making a comeback from large deficits as they have done before against the Voyageurs during the regular season. "The first time we played them, we had a lead; I think it was 34-19 and they caught up before half, they cut it to ten. So this game, we tried to push the pedal on the gas and keep rolling on them and try our best to maintain it and build good habits" said Haroun Mohamed. 

As a result, they continued with their style of play to ensure that they advance to the second round. Midway through the second quarter, the Voyageurs went on an 11-0 run to stretch the lead to 29 points as the scoreboard read 45-16 in favour of the Voyageurs. This run also included back-to-back-to-back threes from Hlady, Gray and Hlady again. The Voyageurs shot a remarkable 60.9% from the field and 45.5% from the three point line, meanwhile they also increased their defensive prowess and held the Lancers to 31.3% shooting from the field and 0% from the three-point line in the quarter. The Voyageurs were led by Hlady with nine points and two rebounds and was followed closely by Haroun Mohamed six points, four rebounds and five assists in the quarter. Whereas, the Lancers were led by Kennedy with six points and five rebounds and was trialed closely by Chris Poloniato with four points and two assists. When the first half came to a conclusion, the Voyageurs led 59-24. 

"Just a lot of energy. The coach gave us our keys and a big thing tonight was to just to keep a lot of pressure on early and take pride in the fact that this is the playoffs and we are at home and play as a unit defensively" said Curtis Gordon on his team's early success. 

The third quarter was a much closer affair but by then the Voyageurs had sealed their victory. The Voyageurs eventually stretched their lead 40 points midway through the third quarter and that spelled the end of the match. The Voyageurs victory was essentially sealed. Gray and Gaetan Chamand were the leading scorers from the Voyageurs with five and four points respectively whereas, the Lancers were led by Poloniato with five points, and Shakael Pryce and Jordan Fullerton with three points each. The Voyageurs shot 38.1% from the field meanwhile the Lancers shot 36.8% from the field. 

However, the Lancers refused to give up and starting the fourth quarter, they stepped their defensive intensity. They pressured the Voyageurs as they brought the ball up the court and caused a number of turnovers that eventually led to points. The Voyageur offense stagnated while the Lancer offense blossomed. Seeing this, Coach Swords decided to reinstate his starters back into match to halt this Lancer charge; and this strategy definitely worked. The Voyageurs were able to contain the Lancers and ultimately came out with a 94-66 victory, even though they were outscored 25-16 in the final quarter. The Lancers were led by Jake Polski with eight points Simon with five points on 52.4% shooting whereas the Voyageurs were led by Hlady with five points and Ivey with three points on 40.0% shooting. 

Joseph Hlady remarked about his team's desire to come out strong and to avenge their defeat from the regular season in this playoff match today in his post-game comments: "We just came out with vengeance. We lost to them previously this season and we were going to come out and prove that we are the better team." 

He also discussed what went wrong during his team's stagnation in the fourth quarter: "On the defensive side of the ball, we were not stopping the ball and were not executing on offense and picked it back up and made sure that the run was not that big." 

When asked to evaluate his performance and the team's success in the future, Hlady said: "Both (Hlady and Kadre) are working hard and the end goal is Nationals we are playing like each game is our last."

When asked about what the Voyageurs need to do to advance past the Quarterfinals on Saturday, against the Western Mustangs, Hlady said: "Go there and execute," and Mohammed said "We've got to get back to our basics and take care of business."

The Voyageurs will now rest and travel to London to take on the third-seed Western Mustangs in OUA quarterfinal action on Saturday, February 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm at Alumni Hall.  

Wali Khan