Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – When Deonte Doslov-Doctor hit a three-pointer with 33 seconds left in the third quarter to put the MacEwan Griffins up by eight over the Lethbridge Pronghorns, it seemed they would carry a healthy dose of momentum in to the final 10 minutes at the David Atkinson Gym.
However, the visitors went on a stunning 6-0 run to close within two before the quarter finished, stemmed the tide and wrested back control of the contest before gritting out an 82-76 win in Canada West men's basketball action on Friday night.
"Momentum's a thing in basketball," said Lethbridge head coach James McKinnon. "They went on runs; we went on runs as well. I think the key for us was to get back together. We had (last) weekend off and we didn't seem very organized at all through the full 40 minutes. So, I think if we just come back together, we'll be fine. We'll just keep moving on."
The game was close in the fourth quarter with Lethbridge finally gaining the lead with 5:29 left and pulling away when Keanu Funa made a three-pointer with 2:27 left, forcing the Griffins into a fouling game that didn't work.
Ultimately, the Griffins were undone by a 32.9 per cent field goal percentage, compared to 42.6 from the visitors.
"We weren't shooting the ball well, but we were playing defence and we were hustling and working hard," said head coach Mike Connolly. "That's what keeps you in the game when you're not shooting the ball well.
"Tonight, we didn't shoot the ball well – missed a lot of easy shots that we could have sealed the deal and won it, but we didn't. But at least they played hard. It gave us a chance to win right down to the end, but we just couldn't do it with the fouls."
With the result, Lethbridge moves to 7-10, while MacEwan falls to 2-15.
Earlier in the day, the Griffins were officially awarded two wins after Nov. 29-30 losses at Trinity Western were reversed due to an ineligible player. That gave some life to their playoff hopes and for stretches on Friday night they played like a team desperate to catch 4-13 UNBC for the final post-season position.
Rookie Gregoire Piche-Wint nearly produced a double double off the bench for the Griffins with 15 points and nine rebounds. His night was highlighted by a third-quarter sequence where he took two charges, right before and after an offensive board and bucket, offering a glimpse of the game-changing ability he has.
"That's what he's doing – he's playing D," said Connolly. "When he focuses on defence and he's hustling and working, then everything else comes to him. That's what we have to do – everybody. Focus on being responsible defensively, giving an effort, spreading the floor and everything else will fall into place."
Doslov-Doctor led the Griffins with 21 points, while Jake Notice chipped in 13.
Lethbridge was led by Edmontonian Chad Oviatt – a transfer from Concordia University – who produced 22 points and seven boards, while 6-foot-8 Jeffrey Rodehutskors scored a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Funa and Colton Gibb each had 13 points.
"Obviously, to show well in front of his hometown fans is a great thing," said McKinnon of Oviatt. "Coming in with 22 and seven on 10-of-14 shooting in 22 minutes, that's exceptional.
"Keanu Funa really walked in towards the end of the game and helped us solidify our defence in the fourth quarter."
The teams will meet again on Saturday (7 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
