The Waterloo Warriors men's basketball team saw their season come to an end Saturday night as the dropped both games of their weekend series to the Lakehead Thunderwolves. Both games were tightly contested but the Warriors came up just short, missing out on the 2022 OUA postseason. 

On Friday night the Warriors came out hot in the opening frame taking a 17-12 lead into the first intermission. Fifth year guard Justin Malnerich (Cambridge, ON/St. Benedict's Catholic Secondary) had 7 points. Some stellar play from Kanayo Nnadi (Kitchener, ON/Eastwood Collegiate) and Jayden Grewal (Oakville, ON/Kings Christian Collegiate) helped the Warriors take a three point lead into the half. Malnerich and Nedim Hodzic (Waterloo, ON/Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary) led the charge in the third quarter scoring some key baskets as the Warriors looked to close out the game with a seven point advantage heading into the fourth. The Thubderwolves however rallied in the final frame to force overtime where veteran guards Michael Okafor and Laoui Msambya were too much for the Warriors to handle as the T-Wolves took the game by a score of 80-75 in overtime. Malnerich and Nnadi led the Warriors offensively with 20 and 19 points respectively while Hodzic added a double double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

On the second night of the back to back, an emotional Physical Activities Complex paid tribute to the four graduating seniors on the men's roster as part of Fantastic Alumni Day. Malnerich, Hodzic, Grewal, and Cameron Penner (Collingwood, ON/Collingwood Collegiate Institute) enjoyed a moment together to commemorate their time as Warriors before opening tip. The senior group came out flying in the opening frame going on a 10-2 run with contributions from all the seniors. The Warriors found themselves up by four heading into the lockeroom with Grewal and Malnerich leading the way

A tightly contested third quarter led to an exciting fourth quarter which had the Warriors once again leading by seven to start the frame. With fantastic efforts from the senior core throughout the quarter, the Lakehead Thunderwolves were able to push over the finish line thanks to a game high 36 point performance from Okafor.

In their final action as Warriors, the team was led by Grewal with 20, Malnerich with 15, Hodzic with 15, and career highs 9 points and 11 rebounds for Penner. The Warriors would like to thank all the fans that supported the team throughout the season. We look forward to continuing to build for next year!