Pereira has career night, Gunter collects first CIS win as Warriors top Lions

Box Score Story by: Martin Timmerman

Justin Gunter got his first OUA head coaching win as the Waterloo Warriors made their third comeback stick to take an 86-83 win over the visiting York Lions on Friday night at the PAC. Mike Pereira (Kitchener) had a career night for Waterloo as he hit for 28 points and collected 19 rebounds.

Encouraged by the Warrior Band and a good crowd for Residence Night as part of UW's Think Pink Weekend, the Warriors started quickly and had a 17-9 lead after Muhammad Anwar (Mississauga) hit an and-one with 3:00 minutes left in the first quarter. That would turn out to be Waterloo's largest lead of the night as York went on a 23-8 run over the next six minutes to get their own 7 point lead. With four minutes left in the half, Waterloo made their first comeback run as Ben Davis (Mississauga), Dylan Phillips (Hamilton) and Jon Ravenhorst (Sarnia) each hit a three on successive trips down the court. The lead was short lived as York held a 45-41 lead at half time. York used a full court press for much of the first half, with Waterloo continually breaking the press for layups by Davis, Pereira and Anwar.

Waterloo narrowed the gap slightly at a couple of points in the third quarter, but overall York held the edge and took a 64-57 lead into the final quarter. York then hit a three to open the fourth and had their own largest lead of 10 points. Over the next four minutes Waterloo had comeback number 2, this time a 14-2 run to take a two point lead with 5:40 left in the game. York answered with a quick basket to tie and then two trips with Shane Reader hitting a three and York was back to a six point lead.

Waterloo was down four when Dylan Phillips (Hamilton) hit his sixth three of the night and narrowed the gap to a single point with 58 seconds left. York and Waterloo traded baskets and York called time with 30 seconds remaining to advance the ball to the front court. On the ensuing inbounds play, Ben Davis (Mississauga) got a steal and raced down the court to be fouled. Davis hit both free throws and Waterloo had their third comeback and a one point lead. York had two good shots at the lead, but missed them both and Pereira gathered the rebound and was fouled. Pereira hit both free throws to give Waterloo the three point lead with six seconds remaining. A long three from Gene Spagnuolo was short and Waterloo had their first league win of the season.

In addition to Pereira's career night, Dylan Phillips (Hamilton) also had a career best 20 points. Ben Davis (Mississauga) added 19 points. The Warriors continued their effort on the boards, taking a 38-29 edge in rebounds. For York, Shane Reader led the way with 18 points while Brandon Ramirez added 12 points.

Waterloo closes out the fall portion of the schedule on Saturday night as they host the Queen's Gaels. Game time is 8:00pm at the PAC.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Muhammad Anwar: 6' 6"; Second Year; 2

#7 Ben Davis: 6' 4"; Fourth Year; 4

#20 Mike Pereira: 6' 5"; Fourth Year; 4

#6 Dylan Phillips: 6' 1"; First Year; 1

#3 Jon Ravenhorst: 6' 2"; Fourth Year; 4

Players Mentioned

#14 Muhammad Anwar
: 6' 6"; Second Year; 2

#7 Ben Davis
: 6' 4"; Fourth Year; 4

#20 Mike Pereira
: 6' 5"; Fourth Year; 4

#6 Dylan Phillips
: 6' 1"; First Year; 1

#3 Jon Ravenhorst
: 6' 2"; Fourth Year; 4

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned