The Waterloo Warriors men's basketball team dropped both contests against their cross town rivals the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks this past week. The tightly contested games were the Warriors first game of the new year, ending a 81 day break from action.
On Wednesday night the Warriors travelled down the road to the Athletic Complex to open up the series. The Warriors opened up the contest with some great defensive play, holding the Golden Hawks to just 11 points in the first quarter. A back and forth second quarter finished with the Warriors heading into the locker room with a 2 point lead.
Fourth year guard
Kuel Thomas (Kitchener, ON/Huron Heights Secondary) was excellent on both ends of the floor, pacing the warriors with 13 points in the opening half. The Warriors were able to keep the Golden Hawks within striking distance for much of the second half but fifth year guard Ali Sow propelled his team with a late fourth quarter surge that carried them to the 74-62 victory. Thomas led the way for the Warriors with 19 points and 3 rebounds while first year point guard
Josh Akuamoah (Whitby, ON/) provided an excellent spark off the bench adding 12 points and a steal.
In the second game of the home and home series, the Golden Hawks picked up right where they left off going on an early 10-2 run fueled by forward KJ Massela. The Warriors found themselves down 4 points heading into the second frame. Master's candidate
Nedim Hodzic (Waterloo, ON/Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary) stepped up for the Warriors in the second frame scoring 5 points while grabbing a couple rebounds however the Warriors found themselves down 7 heading into halftime.
The Warriors used a balance attack in the third quarter to cut into the Golden Hawk lead. Led by fifth year guard
Jayden Grewal (Oakville, ON/Kings Christian Collegiate), the warriors found themselves shooting just under 50% from the floor and only trailing by 5 heading into the final frame. With the loud Warrior fan base behind them, the Warriors found themselves up 1 with under two minutes. Clutch plays by Hodzic and Grewal brought the Warriors right back into the game however a buzzer beater attempt by fifth year guard
Justin Malnerich (Cambridge, ON/St. Benedict's Catholic Secondary) was just off the mark and the Warriors fell 79-77.
Grewal led the way for the Warriors offensively pouring in 23 points while Hodzic added 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Warriors will take on the Brock Badgers this week in a home and home series. The Warriors will travel to St Catharines Wednesday night and host the Badgers Saturday evening at 6:00pm at the Physical Activities Complex.
