MBB | Voyageurs Beat Waterloo in Gritty Victory
In the fourth and final game of their road trip, the Laurentian Voyageurs' men's basketball team played against the Waterloo Warriors. The game featured a dominant start, an impressive comeback, and an exciting ending, finishing with an 83-77 win for the Vees, evening their record at 3-3.
Over the beginning eight minutes of the opening quarter, the Vees generated a ten-point lead, dominating both sides of the court. A timely steal coming from To Randriasalama and impressive ball movement coming from the offence helped generate momentum, but a final two-minute run allowed the Warriors to rally back. The Voyageurs went into their huddle, leading 21-20.
The second quarter was a showcase for Brice Fandio. Reminiscent of Kyrie Irving or Allen Iverson, Fandio seemed possessed in each possession, wowing the crowd with his ball control. The Voyageurs' bench couldn't contain their excitement as the guard completed near-impossible shots, including an and-one. Fandio finished the half with 16 points. Unfortunately for Laurentian, the Warriors found their groove as well, taking their first lead of the game with a buzzer-beater, taking a 37-35 lead into halftime.
It's unclear what was said during the break, but it lit a fire under the Voyageurs' feet. Although it was lit, it was a slow-burning one. Waterloo jumped out of the locker room, extending their lead to 11, but they weren't ready for the Fandio show to continue. As the quarter progressed, the fire grew larger. The Warriors began doubling the guard, leaving players open beyond the arc, fueling the comeback. Ismael Konate proved to be a workhorse in this game, providing 18 points in the game, most of which came in the second half, and grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds for an impressive double-double.
Laurentian took back the lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter and coasted its way to the final whistle. Impressive shooting from across the team helped maintain their lead until the end.
This win marks their third win in a row, proving their ability to stay composed while ahead and while attempting a comeback. The Vees' core has begun to click, producing quality basketball as they prepare for their return home on November 14, versus Queen's.
- Brendan Rubin