Having already wrapped up the OCAA East Division regular season crown, the Seneca Sting played hard for 40 minutes against rival Centennial, only to lose late to the Colts 55-53.
The game was competitive throughout as the teams constantly tried to one-up each other both offensively and defensively.
The Colts opened the scoring, coming out hungry trying to avenge a loss to the Sting at home back in November. The only points Seneca could muster early on came off another highlight-reel dunk by Felix Adjei. Despite the play, the Sting still trailed 8-2 early. Centennial would continue to pressure the Sting with a full-court press and held a 20-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Eleven players recorded points with no one scoring more than four.
Seneca tried to climb their way back from the early hole, but struggled to find open shots. In a low-scoring quarter, Seneca outscored the Colts 13-11 and trailed by seven at the half. Adjei had six points in the quarter and led Seneca with eight at the half. Justin Jarrett had five points for the Colts at the half.
Coming out of the half, the Sting appeared to have found a way to penetrate the Colts defence while imposing their own game. Adjei exploded for 12 points in the quarter while Vadim Halimov added seven. Centennial was only able to score eight points to Seneca's 21 as the Sting took a 45-39 lead into the fourth quarter.
As the Sting shooting went cold in the fourth quarter, the Colts offence heated up. Centennial took a 54-53 lead with 29.7 seconds remaining on a basket from in close. Seneca moved the ball up the floor and set up their offence, looking for the winning shot. With 12.9 second left, a three point shot by Calmar Morgan rimmed out and the Sting were forced to foul. Seneca was unable to create the offence needed down the stretch and were handed just their third loss of the regular season. In the quarter, the Sting made just one field goal.
Seneca was led offensively by Adjei who finished with 20 points. Halimov had 11 points and 11 rebounds along with 10 points and seven rebounds by Morgan. Derek DeJesus added 10 rebounds. Seneca only had five players record a point in their lowest offensive output of the season.
The Colts had just one scorer in double figures (Jameel Williamson's 11 points), but received scoring from nine players. Williamson also led with 14 rebounds while Terence Nelson added eight points and seven rebounds.
Source: Seneca College
