GRUJIC, DICKSON LEAD WAY AS HAWKS TAKE OVER TOP SPOT
With an opportunity to move into the Western Division's top spot and extend their win streak to six, the Men's Basketball Team played host to the Lambton Lions on Sunday afternoon.
Three turnovers on the Hawks first four possessions spelled a slow start for the home side, and Brandon Padgett's finish at the rim gave the Lions an early five point lead. Some nice work off the bounce from Brayden Gohn and Curwin Elvis steadied Humber's flow offensively, but it was Lambton's transition game that was giving Humber trouble. The Lions third fast break basket of the quarter had the lead extended to five again, and the Hawks were struggling at the point of attack. Big man Vule Grujic stabilized Humber's offense with a pair of baskets down low in the quarters final minute, and at the end of one Humber held a 20-17 lead.
Nice work on the offensive glass got the second quarter started for Humber, as a board and finish from Tyrone Dickson was followed by a long ball from Jordan Rose, pushing the lead to nine.The Hawks interior defense, led by Grujic and Dickson, was doing an excellent job protecting the rim and keeping Lambton to one and done possessions. Five minutes into the second the Lions had only one made field goal for the quarter. The strong defensive work continued, and a deep three from RJ Ramirez was followed by a pretty move inside from Grujic. Buoyed by Grujic's dominance down low, the blue and gold held a 43-29 lead at half.
The third quarter started with some more strong interior defense, and Ancil Martin's second connection from deep pushed the lead to fifteen. Vule Grujic continued his excellent play, scoring his seventeenth point of the afternoon on a rare triple. Shortly thereafter, Ramirez hit his second long ball, and the Hawks work on the perimeter was becoming too much for Lambton defensively. As time ran down in the quarter, a monster jam from Brayden Gohn had the Hawks fans on their feet, and Humber holding a commanding 70-54 lead after thirty minutes.
Kenny Ejim opened the fourth with a nice finish at the rim, and followed it up with offensive board and bucket with the foul. From their, the Hawks continued their solid work on both ends of the court, dominating the glass as they had all afternoon. Despite a late push from Lambton that cut the lead to ten with three minutes on the clock, consecutive baskets from Dickson and Grujic put the game away and gave the Hawks their sixth consecutive win going away. For the time being, Humber now sits in sole possessions of the Western Division's top spot.
Next up for the Hawks is a trip to Sheridan on Friday night where they will look to complete the season sweep.
For full season standings, schedules, statistics and more please visit http://ocaa.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/standings-include.
