SHERIDAN 86, MOHAWK 80

BRAMPTON, Ont. - Fuelled by a raucous crowd, the Sheridan Bruins got off to a fast start but had to weather more than a few runs from the Mohawk Mountaineers, clinching a spot in the 2014 belairdirect OCAA Men's Basketball Championship with an 86-80 triumph.

"We played very well, executed our game plan nicely and really when it comes down to it, it was just a few possessions that determined it," Sheridan head coach Jim Flack said. "Basically we just made a few more shots than Mohawk did, so there's no real difference between the teams. Everybody talks about Matt Fennell, and he's a great player, but they're so much more than that. They've got (Andrew) Cicuttini, (Taylor) Dowhaniuk, (Alex) Reis, great guards and great coaches, so you can't just concentrate on one guy or one area.

"They rebound so well and execute their zone so flawlessly, so in the end we made shots when we had to and that's what basketball comes down to."

The opening stages featured both sides fighting for control of the momentum, with the Bruins using a 14-3 run to spark a 36-point quarter, leading 36-19 after 10 minutes.

Undaunted, Mohawk began chipping away at the margin and when they closed the half on a 10-0 run had brought it all the way down to three, 50-47, at the break.

To start the second half, Sheridan began to re-build their advantage, pushing the lead back to seven, 69-62, heading into the final period.

An early free-throw make from the Bruins would push it to an eight-point game but after an 8-0 run by the Mountaineers levelled the game, Mohawk would take it's first lead of the game when Fennell drilled a three.

The Bruins battled to pull back in front and while leading 82-80, traded a pair of five-second violations.

Dylan Periana nailed a pair of free throws with 11.7 seconds left that served to ice the game.

Michael Selkridge led Sheridan with 18 points, while six others hit double figures - Trevor Williams (15 points), Paul Williams (13 points, 18 rebounds), Dylan Periana (13 points), Roshean Keen (10 points) and Denzil Abrams (10 points).

Fennell scored a game-high 20 for Mohawk, while also chipping in with 12 boards.

Taylor Dowhaniuk also posted a double-double for the Mountaineers with 11 points, 10 boards and six blocks, with more scoring contributions from Zxennis Brereton (13), Patrick Iavarone (12) and Alex Reis (11).

Sheridan will move on to play Algonquin in the championship game, while Mohawk will play Durham in the second bronze semi-final.

Championship Website: 2014ocaambb.com

OCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Thursday, February 27
Quarter-Finals
Game 1 - Algonquin 89, Durham 70
Game 2 - Humber 71, Seneca 53
Game 3 - Mohawk 99, Fanshawe 52
Game 4 - Sheridan 99, George Brown 89 (OT)

Friday, February 28
Bronze Quarter-Finals
Game 5 - Durham 78, Seneca 75
Game 6 - George Brown 80, Fanshawe 70
Semi-Finals
Game 7 - Algonquin 75, Humber 48
Game 8 - Sheridan 86, Mohawk 80

Saturday, March 1
Bronze Semi-Finals
Game 9 - Humber vs. George Brown - 10 a.m.
Game 10 - Mohawk vs. Durham - 12 p.m.
Bronze Medal Match
Game 11 - Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 - 5 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match
Gold Medal Match
Game 12 -  Algonquin vs. Sheridan - 7 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match

Source: Sheridan College