No. 2 Men's Basketball downs No. 4 St. Clair in double overtime

By: Thiago Neuenschwander
Humber Athletics Communications

WINDSOR - It took two overtimes and an extra dose of excitement, but the No. 2 men's basketball team defeated the St. Clair Saints on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 12) in Windsor, securing their 12th win of the season. The game between the top two teams in the West Division was highly competitive, with both sides deserving victory. In the end, the Hawks' superior team play prevailed. Led by Jalen Menzies and Malik Grant, head coach Omar Miles' team made it clear they mean business and remain focused on pursuing their second consecutive Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championship.

The Hawks didn't wait for the home team to set the game's pace. They played with intensity from the outset, leading the score most of the time. Although Grant (20 points) and Menzies (24 points) were Humber's top scorers, other starters, such as Adrian Aluyi (18 points and 14 rebounds) and Kwabena Antwi (14 points and 8 rebounds), were pivotal to the team's collective success. With their well-oiled team play, the Hawks headed into halftime with a 45-35 lead.

The 10-point advantage seemed to make the team lose focus after the break. This lapse allowed the hosts to return to the game and start scoring. Stellar performances from forward Mazin Tiea (32 points, 17 rebounds, and eight blocks) and guard Darnelle Peddie (19 points and five rebounds) brought St. Clair back into the match. They outscored Humber 26-12 in the third quarter, leaving the Hawks trailing 61-57.

The final quarter was a true battle. Despite the Hawks' strong push, the Saints managed to control the lead for most of the period. With just 48 seconds left in regulation, Mazin Tiea, St. Clair's standout player, had two free throws to secure the home team's victory. However, luck was on the visitors' side. Tiea missed both shots, allowing the Navy and Gold a final possession. Grant was chosen for the decisive play and, with a perfect jump shot, tied the game at 74-74, forcing overtime.

The first OT was a perfect reflection of the entire game. Both teams fought hard for the lead but ended up tied at 12-12, extending the tension further. In the second OT, however, the Hawks came determined to seal the victory. With a solid defensive performance and strong offensive execution, they shut down the Saints, allowing no points and closing the game 94-86. This marked St. Clair's first home loss of the season.

Humber Highlights

• The win puts Humber closer to clinching the west division title and home-court advantage throughout the postseason.
• The Hawks improve to 58-15 all-time against St. Clair.
• Humber leads the league in rebounds, averaging 48.5 per game.
• Adrian Aluyi recorded his first career double-double.
• Coach Miles' squad boasts the second-best defence in the OCAA, allowing just 67.7 points per game.
• The Hawks have the second-best FG percentage (43.2), trailing only St. Clair (48.1).

What's Next?

The Hawks will travel to Hamilton next Wednesday (Jan. 15) to face the Mohawk Mountaineers (8-4, 3rd West) at the David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre. Tip-off is at 8 PM, and OCAA Live will stream the game live.