Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
After playing some of their best and most consistent basketball to date in the last few weeks, the Voyageurs took to the court in their final game of the season Feb. 20 with everything on the line.
A win by nine points or more, or a win by two to eight points, coupled with an RMC win over Queen's, assured the Laurentian men a spot in the second season. Despite a 15 point, 13 rebound performance from senior, Alex Whiteman, the Voyageurs fell at the hands of the York Lions, 86-64.
The first quarter kicked off with a three ball from York's John Lafontaine (Whitby, Ont.), which got York off to a quick 5-0 lead. Paul Kovacs (Barrie, Ont.) would cut in to that lead quickly with a three ball of his own. After the pace had slowed for a stretch, Matas Tirilis (Mississauga, Ont.) would put the Voyageurs on top with a bucket in the paint with 4:30 left in the quarter.
York would not falter after falling down, however, as the Lions went on an 8-0 after the Tirilis bucket to close out the quarter leading by four, 20-16.
The second frame was somewhat similar to the opening 10 minutes, as neither side would go on any significant runs, however Laurentian began committing a number of sloppy turnovers, letting York build to their lead.
Laurentian would stay with the Lions, due in large part to Whiteman (North Vancouver, B.C.). who put up nine straight points for the Voyageurs, and dominated the glass.
As impressive as Whiteman was in the frame, the combination of York's David Tyndale (Mississauga, Ont.) at the guard position, and Stefan Haynes (North York, Ont.) inside, were more than up to the task, putting up 20 and 19 points respectively. At then end of 20 minutes, the Lions had extended their lead to nine, 40-31.
Alex Whiteman picked up right where he left off to start the second half, hitting a baby hook in the paint for two more of his team high 15 points. Unfortunately, once again the Voyageurs were unable to take care of the ball, giving up a number of costly turnovers, which resulted in York points.
The two sides would continue to trade baskets throughout much of the quarter, until the Lions went on a tear to open up a 14 point lead, going in to the final quarter up 64-50.
The final frame would need some magic from the Voyageurs; however it was not in the cards. York came out determined to put the game to bed, and punch their ticket to the post season, opening up the frame with a crushing 14-3 run.
Laurentian would try to make a game of it, and keep the score close, but with the post season out of reach, there was no intensity left on the floor, and the Lions were able to walk away with an 86-64 victory, and a playoff berth, ending a disappointing season for the Voyageurs.
"It was the way we looked after the ball. We had 29 turnovers, and when you have that many turnovers, well, you're not going to win any games," said head coach Shawn Swords in a release. "Next year we can come in and be ready to play with the guys we have. It should be good."
This marked the final game of the season for the Voyageurs. With a number of returning players next season, the Voyageurs will look to build off of the strong play they showed in the final weeks of this season, and lead Laurentian to a playoff berth.
