The Brock Badgers men’s basketball team made a triumphant return to OUA regular season action on Friday, Nov. 3, as they hosted the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.
The game began with both teams exchanging baskets, displaying their competitiveness and making it clear that this would be an evenly-matched battle. Kevaughn Ellis, hailing from Hamilton, took center stage for the Badgers in the opening frame, contributing eight crucial points, including two successful three-pointers. However, despite Ellis’ offensive prowess, the Badgers found themselves trailing by a mere two points after the first ten minutes, with Toronto leading 18-16.
The second quarter marked a significant turning point for the Badgers, as third-year forward Michael Matas and fifth-year guard Jevon Brown ignited their team. Matas showcased exceptional footwork in the paint, accumulating eight points in the quarter, while Brown electrified the home crowd with 13 points, which included two three-pointers and a thunderous breakaway dunk.
Brock’s defence also came to life in the second quarter, limiting Toronto to just 13 points. As a result, the Badgers headed into halftime with a comfortable 44-31 lead.
The Badgers maintained their lead throughout the game, fending off every challenge posed by the Varsity Blues. In the third quarter, Toronto made an attempt to narrow the gap, but timely shots from senior guard Isaiah Bujdoso and Kevaughn Ellis kept the Badgers ahead. The third quarter concluded with Brock in the lead, 57-50.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Badgers firmly held their advantage. Players like Isaiah Bujdoso, Michael Matas and Jordan Tchuente made key plays, ensuring that the Brock Badgers would emerge victorious.
When the final whistle blew, the Badgers had secured an impressive defensive win in their season opener, validating the hard work and preparation that head coach Willy Manigat had instilled in the team.
Jevon Brown emerged as the standout performer of the evening for Brock, finishing with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. However, it was truly a team effort, with exceptional contributions from several players. Kevaughn Ellis registered a double-double, tallying 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Michael Matas added 14 points and eight rebounds. Isaiah Bujdoso orchestrated the offence effectively, amassing 15 points, three assists and three rebounds.
The box score tells the story of a well-rounded team performance by the Badgers, with various players stepping up in different facets of the game.
Brock’s 77-63 victory marked an excellent start to their OUA campaign as it showcased the team’s balanced approach on both ends of the court. The combination of stellar offensive displays and lockdown defence set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season for the Badgers.
They followed up their home opener with another win on Nov. 4 against York University. They remained undefeated beating the Lions 76-69. Brock’s next game is Nov. 11 at TMU, where they hope to advance to 3-0 and sweep the Toronto universities to start the year.
Watch all Brock men’s basketball games on OUA.tv. For more information on the Badgers, visit gobadgers.ca.
