In a match on Jan.19, the Brock men’s basketball team faced a tough challenge against the York Lions. Despite a great effort, the Badgers ultimately succumbed to the Lions with a final score of 95-89.
Fifth-year guard Jevon Brown emerged as a shining star for the Badgers, showcasing his skills with an impressive stat line of 23 points, seven rebounds and an assist. Brown’s performance demonstrated his experience and leadership on the court, providing hope for the team.
Fourth-year forward Jordan Tchuente and fourth-year guard Kevaughn Ellis also made significant contributions, finishing with double-digit points. Tchuente recorded 16 points, along with nine rebounds, while Ellis added 11 points.
The first quarter set the tone for a closely contested match, with both teams exchanging baskets and struggling to establish a definitive lead. After 10 minutes of intense play, Brock held a slim 20-19 lead, setting the stage for a highly competitive game.
The second quarter witnessed a momentum shift in favour of the Lions, as they managed to build an early lead. Despite York’s attempts to pull away, Tchuente and Brown’s combined efforts kept the Badgers in contention. However, a late 11-2 run by the Lions left Brock trailing 55-41 at halftime.
The third quarter saw York extending their lead with a fast-break three-pointer, leaving the Badgers struggling to find their shooting rhythm. Although Brock fought back, the Lions maintained control and entered the final quarter with an 83-70 lead.
To start the fourth quarter, the Badgers came out with renewed energy, fueled by a deep jumper from Ellis that cut the lead to as close as nine points. A late surge, including key baskets from Marlon Lestin and Tchuente, brought the Badgers within striking distance. Nevertheless, the Lions managed to secure the victory, capitalizing on free throws in the closing minutes.
The game’s stat line shows the Badgers shooting struggle throughout all four quarters. The Badgers shot 40.3 per cent from the field, 28.6 per cent from beyond the arc and 70.0 per cent from the free-throw line. The Lions, on the other hand, boasted a shooting percentage of 51.6 per cent, with 43.8 per cent accuracy from three-point range and a 62.5 per cent success rate from the free-throw line.
While the Brock Badgers may have fallen short in this matchup, the display of talent and determination were key takeaways heading into the game against Ontario Tech the following night.
But for the Badgers, another close game slipped through their fingertips losing 72-70 even with a last-minute push from Tcheaunte and McKenna. Brock now sits just below .500 with a 7-8 record. They will look to bounce back in Thunder Bay as they face off in a back-to-back with Lakehead University on Jan. 26 and 27.
For more information on the Brock men’s basketball team, visit gobadgers.ca.