The Brock men’s basketball team visited the University of Algoma for the first time this season on Jan. 13. Brock looked to win their second straight after beating Ontario Tech last weekend, while Algoma was looking for just their second win of the season, currently sitting at 1-13 on the campaign.
Brock got off to an early lead up 8-2 just two minutes into the game, leading to an early Algoma timeout. Algoma would then hit a three bringing the crowd to their feet but the fourth-ranked Badgers would be too much for them the rest of the quarter. Brock led 24-17. Daniel Caldwell had his fingerprints all over the first quarter; shooting three for four from three with 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.
Algoma would have to regroup and play their own game if they were to have a chance against the Badgers. Which they did. Algoma got off to a great start in the second quarter as they went on an 8-0 run to and took their first lead of the game 25-24 leading to the timeout called by the Badgers.
The rest of the quarter would be back-and-forth as both teams traded buckets. But two late buckets from the Badgers would put them back in front heading into the half, 41-38. Isaiah Bujdoso shined in the quarter, leading the team with eight points, one rebound and one steal, while Algoma continued to spread around the offence with four players having four or more points in the quarter.
In the third quarter Jordan Tcheunte continued his dominance to start 2023 with nine points and three rebounds, six of the points coming in the first two minutes of the quarter to give Brock their largest lead of the game at nine points. Algoma continued to press but with each bucket made by the Thunderbirds, the pesky Badgers would answer right back. Brock remained up at the end of the third quarter leading 64-57.
The Badgers started the fourth quarter the same as the other three quarters; dominating the boards and playing sound defensive basketball. A block by Jordan Tcheunte early in the quarter got the Brock bench on their feet. Tcheunte then rushed down the floor, made the bucket and forced the foul making it a three point play, which he converted.
However, the momentum from that play would slowly disappear as the Thunderbirds made three consecutive baskets in a row bringing the Badgers lead to just three halfway through the quarter. On the next play Tcheunte would drive to the bucket with Algoma players all over him but no foul was called. Tcheunte turned away from the play throwing his hands up in the air and was given a technical foul.
Though he did not let this affect his play, he scored Brock’s next two buckets advancing their lead to 78-71. Jesse Barnes followed up Tcheunte’s two makes with a steal and a fast break layup of his own, Brock up nine with 3:30 left.
The last 3:30 would be a shootout as Algoma pressed on fast break possessions adding 11 more points but Brock came out on top winning the game 92-83 for their second win in a row and advancing to 9-3 on the season.
The Badgers are back home on Jan. 18 and Jan. 21 against McMaster University and York University.
Tickets for the home game can be found here and all other information on the team can be found at gobadgers.ca
