varsity news

Durham Lords Media Release
Sunday, February 22, 2009

OCAA Playoffs - DC falls to Algoma in a heartbreaker

Men’s Basketball Qualifying Round: Algoma defeated Durham 91-87 (OT)

Oshawa, Ont. – The Durham College men’s basketball team found themselves on the wrong end of what many people are considering to be the game of the year as they fell to the Algoma Thunderbirds 91-87 in overtime in the OCAA postseason.

DC got off to a hot start opening up a 41-20 midway through the first half, looking as if they were going to breeze through the opening round of the playoffs.

Down by over twenty points, the defending OCAA silver medalist Thunderbirds, coached by former Durham College player Thomas Cory, refused to give up as they went on a 16-2 run to close out the half, reducing Durham’s lead to just seven points after twenty minutes.

The Thunderbirds did not let the half-time break kill their momentum as they came out soaring on a 13-2 run to take their first lead of the game. The team’s would battle back and fourth for rest of the half and found themselves tied at 81-81 with just seconds left at the clock. Durham’s Evan Browne (Grass Lake, MI) made a circus shot-buzzer beater attempt for the win, but the ball would just rim out, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, it was Durham getting out to the early four point lead, but Algoma would once again battle back, outscoring Durham 10-2 the rest of the way to take the thrilling 91-87 win.

The packed house at the CRWC was in complete shock after Durham fell in overtime, after the team lost their first half lead and going 10-0 on home court during the regular season. The loss eliminated Durham from the OCAA playoffs while Algoma looks ahead to a quarter-final match against Fanshawe College next weekend.

Free throws seemed to be the Lords Achilles heel as they went 9-for-20 from the charity stripe, while missing ten in the second half and overtime. Algoma on the other hand went 21-for-24 from the line, as veteran Ryan Vetrie was 11-for-12.

Despite getting into early foul trouble, freshman Eric Smith (Ajax, Ont.) led the Lords in scoring with 25 points and seven rebounds. Playing in his last game with the Lords, Anthony Batchelor (Markham, Ont.) scored 18 points and added six assists.

Algoma’s Patrick Murray was the x-factor for the T-Birds scoring all of his 19 points in the second half and overtime. Vetrie would end up with 21 points while Vyron Phillips scored 20.

In his first year as Durham head coach, Desmond Rowley led his team to an overall record of 23-8, their best season 1997/98.

GAME RECAP

Final Score:
Algoma 91 Durham 87 (OT)

Lords Notables:
Eric Smith – 25 points, 7 rebounds
Anthony Batchelor – 18 points, 6 assists
Nic Brown – 12 points, 6 rebounds

Algoma Notables
Ryan Vetrie – 21 points
Vyron Phillips – 20 points
Patrick Murray – 19 points

A QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS

Conference Record: 16-4
Overall Record: 23-8

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)

Proud Host of the 2009 OCAA Volleyball Championships
February 27-28, 2009