ST. CATHARINES - Competing in their fourth game against a nationally ranked opponent so far this season, the No. 5 Brock Badgers men's basketball team suffered just their second loss falling 82-70 at the hands of the No. 4 Ottawa Gee-Gees on Sunday afternoon at Bob Davis Gymnasium.
Completing a stellar first half to their 2022-23 campaign, Brock enters the winter break with a 7-2 record, earning wins over current top contenders in Toronto, Laurier, Lakehead, and perennial powerhouse Carleton. The Badgers have been especially impressive on the defensive end of the court entering the winter break ranked first in the province in defensive efficiency, holding teams to just 36 percent from the floor and under 30 percent from beyond the arc, while also ranking second in the OUA conceding just 67.8 points per game
In the Sunday afternoon contest, both the Badgers and Gee-Gee shot over 40 percent from the floor and over 30 percent from behind the arc going back-and-forth in another exciting home game for Brock. The difference on the court came down to exceptional ball movement for the Gee-Gees which results in 21 total assist, along with strong play on the boards outrebounding Brock 35-25 which led to 14 crucial second chance points.
After falling behind by three to finish the first quarter, the Badgers came out fast in the second eventually building a four point lead with five minutes remaining before the half. However, Ottawa found their way back to the lead and never allowed Brock to close the gap for a second time.
Brock guards
Kascius Small-Martin and
Isaiah Bujdoso both notched a team-high 17 points in over 30 minutes of action, with the pair also combining for 11 of the Badgers 13 total assists in the game.
Working efficiently off the bench for Brock,
Michael Matas added 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting and
Jevon Brown recorded 11 going 3-of-6, while both were a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line.
Topping all players, Ottawa's Dragan Stajic recorded a game-high 20 points, inclduing four made three-pointers, while also adding nine assists and nine rebounds.
A tough test to begin the second half of the OUA season in the new year, Brock will travel to Kingston next to face the 8-1 Queen's Gaels on Friday, Jan. 6. Tip off for the road contest is set for 8 p.m. with all the action available to watch online via OUA.TV.
BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 10-6 (W-L)
Conference Record: 7-2
Next game: Friday, Jan. 6 @ Queen's Gaels • 8 p.m. - Kingston, ON
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