HUMBER 86, MOHAWK 79

ETOBICOKE, Ont. - They trailed for a good portion of the game, but the Humber Hawks avenged last year's loss to Mohawk, defeating the Mountaineers 86-79 to win the belairdirect Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Men's Basketball Championship at Humber on Sunday.

The teams played it close in the opening quarter and Mohawk led 20-17.

In the second period, back-to-back three-pointers by Patrick Iavarone and Jesse Broad gave the Mountaineers a 33-23 lead, but the Hawks were hanging around and rookie CJ Bennett, who was top scorer in the first half with 12 points, kept popping up with big plays in the early going and Mohawk's lead at the half was only 45-43.

In the third quarter, it was much of the same 'give and take' and Mohawk maintained their two-point edge, 60-58, after 30 minutes.

There were only five lead changes and seven ties in the whole game, as Mohawk constantly managed to keep its nose in front. However, the Hawks had two of them in the fourth quarter, sandwiched around an Iavarone three, which put the Mountaineers ahead 67-65. But that was the last lead for the defending OCAA champions, as Humber came on and gradually pulled away to the delight of the home supporters who had a noisy battle of the 'thunder sticks' with the Mohawk contingent that made the trip to Etobicoke.

In the final minute, Mohawk still had a chance, trailing by four after a Lamar Barr three-pointer with 27 seconds remaining, but the Mountaineers had to foul at that point and when Bennett made good on two free throws, it was all over.

Bennett led all scorers with 19 points for Humber and was the Hawks player of the game. Kenny Ejim had 17, Gibson Eduful scored 15 and Tyrone Dickson had 13 points and 14 rebounds, far and away the most boards of anyone.

For the Mountaineers, their player of the game OJ Watson scored 16 points, while Iavarone, Barr and Kareem Collins had 12 each.

Dickson was named the championship most valuable player.

Mohawk had two championship all-stars in Collins and Iavarone.

Mohawk head coach Brian Jonker said the team had a good game plan that the players executed very well.

"All we talked about, was getting into a 10 minute game. We got it, but just came up short. (Humber) made some plays and we didn't," said Jonker. "It was a really good game and I'm really proud of these guys."

Now the question is, can the Mountaineers turn things around? Both Mohawk and Humber qualified for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championship at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alta., March 16-19, because the OCAA has a wild card and can send gold and silver medal winners. Last year Mohawk beat Humber in the OCAA championship but managed to take the national title, on Mohawk's home court, no less. The Mountaineers are hoping they can play a little 'role reversal' this year.

Lambton Lions who lost in triple overtime to Mohawk in the semifinals, won the bronze medal 100-78 over the Sheridan Bruins.

Source: Mohawk College