The Brock men’s basketball team hit the road to Ottawa and played their first playoff game against the Carleton Ravens on Feb. 21. The Badgers were underdogs in this matchup as they snuck into the last playoff spot with a huge win and some favourable outcomes on the last day of the regular season.
Brock scored the first points of the game courtesy of Isiah Bujdoso’s three-pointer just over a minute in. Bujdoso’s three was followed up by a three from Carleton’s O’Connell, which set the stage for an offensive quarter. The Badgers were efficient in the first, shooting 50 per cent from the field and beyond the arc. They led 19-18 heading into the second quarter.
Carleton kicked their defensive play into another gear in the second quarter keeping the Badgers to just 11 points, six of which came from forward Jordan Tcheunte. The Ravens ramped up their offence, scoring 21 and led at the half 39-30. The Badgers would look to take control of the game in the second half, tightening up their defence and their free throw shooting, as they missed eight in the first half.
The third quarter was one of tight defence and missed opportunities for both Brock and Carleton. Each team had only one basket in the first three minutes of the quarter before Jevon Brown hit a long three to get the Badgers offence going, sparking a 9-0 run, giving the Badgers the lead, 42-41. Carleton took control of the game to end the third quarter and got their lead back up to nine, 55-46.
With the season on the line, the Badgers played their grittiest quarter this season, battling on both ends of the floor. Brock took the lead in the fourth led by senior Jevon Brown, who tallied 13 points and three steals in the quarter. The last minute of the game was one of pure intensity. The Badgers were able to defend their lead as they made crucial free throws to keep the game at two scores. The game ended 70-69 as Carleton made both their free throws with 0.1 seconds left and the clock drained to zeros once the Badgers inbounded the ball.
With Brock’s win over Carleton, they advance to the quarter-finals against the University of Ottawa on Feb. 24. They carried their momentum from the game prior into this one as they upset uOttawa – who was the two seed – 81-58.
uOttawa led at the half 45-38 but Brock came out for the second half a new team. They scored 43 points in the second half and kept uOttawa to just 13. Isiah Bujdoso and Jevon Brown led the team in point with 21 and 19, while Jordan Tcheunte and Geores Mfwamba Ngandu both had a double-double.
With the win on Saturday, the Badgers advance to the semifinals and will face off against the Western Mustangs on the road. The game can be streamed via OUA.tv.
For more information on the team, visit gobadgers.ca.
