Grant drops 42 points in win over Conestoga
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Conestoga (5-10, 5-10) | 24 | 14 | 18 | 13 | 69 |
|
Humber (15-0, 15-0) | 29 | 24 | 22 | 33 | 108 |
By: William Shoukri
Humber Athletics Communications
ETOBICOKE - Top-ranked Humber men's basketball (14-0, 1st West) took down Conestoga (5-10, 7th West) 108-69 in what was their second-best offensive performance of the season. Malik Grant was unbelievable, scoring a career-high 42 points while adding 11 rebounds and six assists en route to being awarded player of the game. Jalen Menzies and Isaiah Brady-Clarke rounded out Humber's double-digit scorers, as the duo both finished with 14 points each.
Game Recap
After a busy slate of games last week that saw Humber beat four teams in just seven days, the Hawks had a different challenge ahead of them on Wednesday: the five-and-nine Conestoga Condors.
Facing the team with the second-worst defence in the OCAA, Humber was looking to make a statement after a challenging game against Fanshawe on Saturday.
Conestoga's defensive struggles became apparent early on. Humber was dominating in transition. Malik Grant and Adrian Aluyi looked unbelievable, stretching the floor and creating all kinds of space for Jalen Menzies, who couldn't miss, cashing in eight points in just four minutes to open the quarter.
The Hawks would sub out all five starters midway through the quarter, looking to extend the bench and share minutes. Conestoga took advantage of the change in personnel, going on a 10-4 run to close out the opening quarter.
Things dried up a little for Humber in the second. The hot hands from the first had seemingly cooled off after their stint on the bench, and the Hawks struggled to finish from beyond the arc and under the rim.
By the midway point of the second quarter, Conestoga had evened things at 31, and Humber had only scored two points in the quarter. What came next was a one-man show from Malik Grant. The six-foot-seven forward put up eight straight points while adding two rebounds and a steal, all in just two minutes. It was the spark the Hawks needed as they went on a 19-5 run in the final four minutes (with an astounding 15 coming from Grant).
Humber went into halftime leading 53-38, flipping the script on Conestoga in the first half's final minutes.
Humber stayed hot in the third. The Hawks returned to their bread and butter: dominating the transition game and threatening Conestoga from beyond the arc and in the paint. Whatever momentum Conestoga had created in the second quarter was long gone, and Humber was clearly in control. Humber finished the third quarter with a 75-57 point lead, and Conestoga was visibly demoralized taking the court for the fourth and final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Malik Grant caught fire once again. Grant scored 11 points during Humber's quarter-opening 13-0 run. The man known as "Leek" didn't stop there. Grant scored 17 in the quarter en route to a career-high 42 points as Humber outscored Conestoga 33-12
Humber would win in commanding fashion, 108-69, with Grant's 42 leading the way.
Humber Highlights
- Malik Grant is the first Hawk to drop 40 in a game since Jaylan Morgan did four years ago. (40 points vs. Mohawk | Jan. 22, 2024).
- The Hawks improve to 90-0 all-time when scoring 100-plus points in regulation during the regular season.
- Humber is now 37-6 all-time against Conestoga.
- Humber extends their OCAA-best winning streak to 15 games.
- Humber has not lost a regular-season game since January 20, 2024.
- Humber leads the OCAA in rebounds, averaging 46.6 per game.
- Humber owns the lowest field goal percentage AGAINST in the OCAA. Teams only shoot 34.9% against the Hawks.
What's Next?
Top-ranked Humber will travel to Hamilton to take on Redeemer (3-10, 9th West) on Jan. 31. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM.
