Gaiters Win Jack Donahue Tourney

Friday vs. uOttawa GeeGees

BU        12    14    15    23  -  64
UO        22    21    11    9   -   63

This weekend we took the tourney title  in Ottawa. You can check out Wayne Kondro's story from the Ottawa Citizen at this link:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/basketball/Host+Ottawa+falls+short+netting+hoops+crown/7461700/story.html

We managed to defeat a very good Ottawa  team again after being down a large number at half time for the 2nd time. When we played them 4 weeks ago we were down 21 at the half and managed to come back and win in the 2nd half. The game plan was not to spot them a big first half lead! However, they were on fire from the 3 point line and capitalized on our defensive miscues. Fortunately we executed very well defensively in the 2nd half holding them to a paltry 20 points.

Onnex Blackwood

I was really pleased with the toughness and poise our guys showed throughout the 2nd half. They worked so well together both defensively and offensively to  chip away at Ottawa's lead before we finally took  the lead for the 1st time in the game with 30 seconds to go.

I have to mention, it kind of felt  like playing a home game.  I believe the BU fans out numbered the UO fans and were definitely much louder! I know our players fed off that energy down the stretch in the 4th quarter. Thanks to all the alumni who made it out and cheered us on...and of course, the school song was sung by the alums at midcourt following the game!!

Onnex Blackwood led all scorers with 18 points. Tim Hunter and Jeremy Leonard-Smith each had  13 points and 11 rebounds.

Saturday vs. U of Toronto

BU    18    19    17    27  -  81
UT    14    20    19    23  -  76

In this game we did some things well...out rebounded the Blues 47-23, shot 9-21 from the 3 pt line and did some things poorly...27 mostly unforced turnovers! If we are going to put 40 minutes of solid basketball together we must take better care of the ball first & foremost! At times we looked very good, but managed to open the door for U of T too many times.

Tim Hunter

After pulling out to a 10 point lead mid  way through the 2nd quarter things seemed very much in our favour.  Defensively we were solid, but we managed to turn the ball over about 17 times in the next 15 minutes! That kept the game close and fortunately we got our act together  playing well down the stretch to hold off U of  T.  The lead changed hands several times in the 4th, but our guys are playing with a lot of confidence and they made plays  when they needed to.

Tim stepped up big in this game scoring 30 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Tim has been putting some extra time in  making an additional  500 shots a week outside of practice...it is showing! Jeremy continues to shine as he added 17 points and 6 rebounds. Mike Andrews struggled  this weekend after not practicing last week with the flu. However, Big Mike  had a double  double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Scott Ring  added 10 points in 18 minutes of play...less time than he usually plays, but Scott, the hometown boy, managed to draw the ire of  one of the officials getting called for 4 suspect fouls in about 8 minutes of play in the first 3 quarters by the one ref. 

Next up for us is our final pre-season game vs. Lyndon State  this Friday in Lyndon, Vermont. If you happen to be in Lyndon stop by and check out the game! If you need directions let me know!! The real fun begins the following week when we open up league play at UQAM...no easy games in our league!

I will keep you posted,
Rod