MOHAWK ENDS 40 YEAR CHAMPIONSHIP DROUGHT

OTTAWA - The Mohawk Mountaineers are the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's basketball champions for the first time since 1972, defeating three-time defending champion Humber 89-86 in the tournament finale.

The 2012 OCAA Men's Basketball Championship was hosted by Algonquin College in Ottawa.

All-Canadian Aminu Bello (Hamilton, Ont.) was named Mohawk's player of the game, scoring 33 points, including a running jumper with 17 seconds remaining to seal the victory. He was also named a tournament all-star.

"I saw a clear lane and I wanted to put enough arc on the ball. I guess it was a floating jumper," said Bello about his winning shot.

Teammate Manny Campbell (Burlington, Ont.) was named most valuable player in the championship. Campbell said he was surprised by the honour.

"I didn't expect it," said Campbell. "I wasn't playing for myself. Everyone worked hard." 

The Mountaineers have won seven straight games, including three in the regular season, one in the OCAA playoff qualifying round and another three at the championship. Mohawk defeated OCAA East regular season champion Centennial 73-69 in the quarter-finals, then upstart Georgian 96-61 in the semis to secure its first OCAA medal since 1999 when it was awarded bronze.

"I couldn't be prouder of this group," said Mohawk head coach Brian Jonker. "They work hard every day. They listen, they show up to practice and they go to classes." 

Mohawk opened the 2011-12 regular season with a 96-68 loss at Humber, but avenged this defeat with an 87-86 win at home over the Hawks in the regular season finale before the all important rubber game on Saturday.

Mohawk goes on to represent the OCAA at the CCAA Men's Basketball National Championship, taking place in Truro, N.S. from March 15-17.

Humber has won four straight medals at the OCAA tournament with its silver at Algonquin. Second-year guard Mark Perrin (Toronto) was named player of the game for Humber for his 33-point effort.

Along with Perrin and Bello, Shane Rowe of Georgian, Dele Oworu of Algoma and Boyd Vassell of Fanshawe were named tournament all-stars.

OCAA West region teams completed a podium sweep as Fanshawe won its second consecutive bronze medal, and fifth medal in six seasons. Fanshawe defeated divisional rival Algoma 92-63 in the bronze medal game.

Andy Campbell was named Fanshawe's player of the game, scoring a game-high 21 points. Jonathan Gordon was named player of the game for Algoma, contributing seven points and three rebounds.

It was the rubber match between these teams as well, having split their two-game regular season series. Fanshawe finished fifth in the West with a 12-6 record, one game behind Algoma and Mohawk (13-5).

Fanshawe lost its quarter-final game 67-58 to OCAA West regular season champion Humber before winning three straight, including two games played on Saturday. The Falcons defeated Algonquin 66-57 on Friday and Georgian 97-64 on Saturday morning.

The new "back door" bronze format rewarded Fanshawe, as the Falcons would have been eliminated from previous tournaments following a quarter-final loss. Previously, losing teams in the semi-finals would compete for the bronze medal. The new format, introduced this season, allowed losing teams in the quarter-finals to compete for bronze.

For complete tournament results, please visit the championship website.

With files from Mohawk College

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 31 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

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