LOYALIST 85, GEORGIAN 81 (OT)

The Georgian Grizzlies men's basketball team knew if they wanted to start a playoff push it had to start this weekend.

With their playoff hopes on the line, the Grizzlies travelled to Belleville to face one of the teams they are chasing in the standings in the Loyalist Lancers on Saturday.

The Grizzlies playing some desperate basketball were able to come out score some early points thanks to Brandon Seales who had 10 in the first quarter, giving Georgian the 20-19 lead after one.

In the second quarter the Lancers were able to respond outscoring the Grizzlies 25-15 to take a 44-35 lead into halftime.

Grizzlies Head Coach Matt Coulson was able to bring the Grizzlies focus back after the break and it showed. Georgian went toe-to-toe with the Lancers through the third quarter and in the fourth the Grizzlies made their break.

With Loyalist holding a ten point lead, the Grizzlies were able go on a 13-0 run to claim the lead for the first time since the second quarter.  Loyalist was able to hit a late two-pointer to tie the game and for the second time in their two meetings this season, send the game to overtime.

In overtime both teams were able to pull ahead but kept coming back but with the game tied at 81-81, Loyalist was able to pull away for good winning the game 85-81.

Jevon Francis led the way for the Grizzlies with 19 points while Marlon Campbell (17 points) and Ben Dance (13 points, 10 rebounds) also had solid efforts for the Grizzlies.

Frustrated but not deterred the Grizzlies then went onto Kingston for a Sunday afternoon matchup with the St. Lawrence Vikings.

The Grizzlies didn't show the effects of an emotional letdown thanks to strong first half performances by Nolan Knill, Alex Fields and Ben Dance who had eight points each in the first half.

Despite their strong play, the Grizzlies still trailed 36-30 at halftime but for the second time in two days Georgian was able to put together a strong second half.

Trailing 58-47 in the fourth quarter Jevon Francis was able to help ignite the offence scoring some of his 11 fourth quarter points to draw the Grizzlies closer.

Hitting some key baskets late, Georgian was able to bring the game within one point in the dying seconds of the game, but that was as close as the Grizzlies could get falling to the Vikings 63-61.

The Grizzlies will continue their road swing when they travel to Seneca to face the Sting on January 19.  Georgian will return home for a pair of games against Durham on January 23 and Centennial on January 25.

Source: Georgian College