Box Score ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University men's basketball team (5-7 OUA) rallied in the second half to defeat the Laurier Golden Hawks (4-8 OUA) by the score of 84-80 Saturday afternoon at the Bob Davis Gymnasium.

Prior to the game, Mr. Larry Pearson, friends Ryan Dudley and Lucas Hodgson, Brock University Vice President Finance and Administration Brian Hutchings and Director of Athletics and Recreation Rob Cargnelli were on hand the present the Jason Pearson Memorial Award to Brock men's basketball player Nate Gardner. He becomes the first two-time recipent of the award.

Laurier jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, and closed out the final five minutes of the first quarter on a 22-5 run, to take a 30-12 lead after 10 minutes. The Badgers had a better second quarter, outscoring the Golden Hawks 16-9, trailing 39-28 at the half.

In the third quarter, Brock opened with an 14-0 run to take their first lead of the game 42-39, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Johneil Simpson (Toronto, Ont.) and Zachary Angelini (Hamilton, Ont.).

The Badgers would extend that lead to eight points, 49-41, midway through the third stanza. Laurier's offense answered right back with a 16-2 run of their own, to go regain the lead 57-51 with under two minutes left in the quarter. The Golden Hawks held a 59-55 lead after 30 minutes.

Laurier held onto the lead until midway through the quarter, when Brock's Nolan Mackenzie (Oakville, Ont.) knocked down two free throws to put the Badgers up 69-68 with 5:25 remaining in regulation.

Brock extended their lead to six with just under three minutes left, 78-72, after two three-point plays from forward Matt Marshall (Burlington, Ont.).

The Golden Hawks would once again answered putting together a 6-1 run, cutting the lead to one, 79-78, after a missed free throw from Chuder Teny that would have tied the game with 1:17 left in regulation.

The Badgers knocked down 3 of 4 free throws in the final seconds to secure the home victory.

Brock had five players in double figures led by Marshall who finished with 21 points and 18 rebounds for the double-double and Simpson also recorded 21 points. Angelini contributed with 15 points, while Mackenzie (13 points, four assists) and Dani Elgadi (Waterloo, Ont.) (10 points, 10 rebounds) rounded out the Badgers leaders.

Kyrie Coleman led the Golden Hawks offense registering 26 points and 15 boards. Will Coulthard added 18 points and six assists, while Luke Allin finished with 12 points, all from downtown.

For the game, Brock went 28-for-73 (38.4%) from the floor, 4-for-16 (25.0%) from beyond the arc and 24-for-32 (75.0%) from the charity stripe. Laurier finished the contest shooting 42.3% (33-for-78) from the field, 31.6% (6-for-19) from three-point range and just 42.1% (8-for-19) from the free throw line. 

The Badgers will be back in action on Wednesday, January 28th at 8pm as they host the No. 3 ranked Ryerson Rams for the first annual President's Game at Brock University.