On Jan. 6, the Brock men’s basketball team returned to action for their first game of the new year, taking on the Queen’s Gaels.
The Badgers were looking to build off their 7-2 record and were hoping to continue their journey towards the number one ranked team in Canada, currently sitting at number four.
Brock fell behind early as Queen’s went on an early first-quarter run, forcing Badgers coach Willi Maniget to take the first timeout of the game down 14-8. The timeout proved critical to turn momentum back the Badgers way as for the remaining five minutes of the quarter they only gave up four points and managed to score ten of their own leaving the score at 18-18 heading into the second quarter.
Brock guard Isiah Bujdoso commanded the floor in the first quarter, scoring 12 of the 18 points and doing so efficiently, shooting 66.67 per cent from the field.
The Badgers continued to play with high intensity on the defensive end of the floor, only allowing two points in the first three minutes of the second quarter. But a timeout from Queens just under halfway through the quarter seemed to swing momentum back the Gaels way. Queens would outscore Brock 19-13 in the second quarter with a combined effort from Connor Kelly, Cameron Bett and Brandon Aultman all shooting over 50 per cent from the field. Brock trailed 37-31 at the end of the half.
Brock got off to a good start in the third quarter as Jordan Tcheunte scored the first bucket, creating momentum for an 8-2 run by the Badgers. However, a three from Queens would end the Badgers’ most dominant run of the game.
Jordan Tcheunte had an impressive third quarter, scoring nine of Brocks 22 points and also adding 2 rebounds. However, just six minutes into the quarter, Tcheunte was injured after coming down from an offensive rebound. He remained on the floor for just over 2 minutes as Brock trainers checked on him. Tcheunte would walk off the floor after being helped up and would re-enter the game in the fourth quarter.
The Badgers trailed by one heading into the fourth quarter 54-53. The quarter had no shortage of offence as the teams traded threes early. But Queen’s would extend their lead to six just a few minutes in with back to back threes after stops on the defensive side of the floor.
Unfortunately, Brock could not string together a comeback and fell to Queen’s 83-74 after being outscored 29-21 in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Bujdoso’s all-star-like effort was not enough to lift the Badgers to victory as he finished with 27 points, five rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes of play. Tcheunte finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
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On Jan. 7 the Badgers took on Ontario Tech finishing off their weekend with a 69-65 win. Bujdoso had another strong night notching 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists while Tcheunte scored a double-double racking up 14 points and 13 rebounds while also adding one steal.
Brock is back in action on Jan. 13 for an away matchup against Algoma University. That game can be streamed on OUAtv.
Brock men’s basketball schedule, roster and all other information regarding the team can be found here