MBB | Voyageurs Bounce Back, Top Toronto to End 2025
In the final game of the 2025 calendar year, the Laurentian Men's Basketball team snapped a one-game skid convincingly, defeating the University of Toronto 83-74 on the road.
Coming in at over .500 and facing a proven Toronto squad, the Voyageurs found their rhythm as the game rallied onwards, closing out the year with a strong performance.
Laurentian opened the game with an early emphasis on physicality in the paint, as league-leading rebounder Ismael Konate made his presence evident early. Scoring a tip-in, he
followed it with a layup to give the Vees a four-point lead. While Toronto responded and later found a lead late in the quarter, Laurentian stayed within reach, trailing narrowly 13-12 after ten.
The visitors found a more challenging situation in the second quarter. As turnover began to mount, Toronto capitalized at the line and from beyond the arc. Despite contributions from
Evan Boudreau-Munro and Brice Fandio, the home side pulled away, extending the lead to 8 at halftime. The Vees went to the locker room down 39-21, knowing adjustments were needed to close the year out on a positive note.
It didn't take long for the adjustments to kick in as Konate knocked down a three, followed by a classic Fandio moment. The two continued to lift the offence, with Fandio attacking off the dribble and in transition, cutting into Toronto's lead. As the quarter came to an end, Laurentian showed no signs of slowing, recapturing a 62-58 lead moving onto the final
frame.
The fourth belonged to Laurentian. Strong contributions from Toby Ezenwa, Keenan Morain, and continued scoring from Fandio helped Laurentian stretch its lead to as big as nine.
Toronto attempted to rally late, but the Voyageurs remained composed, answering each basket with their own. Fandio sealed the contest at the free-throw line in the final minute, moving into their break with an 83-74 victory to sit at 7-5.
Konate proved again why he leads the league in controlling the boards with another seven on Saturday, while Fandio, who sits amongst the top five in scoring, delivered when the team needed him the most. He finished with a season high of 31 points. With the win, Laurentian heads into the holiday break on a high note, turning the page toward January.
- Brendan Rubin