The season for the Brock men's basketball team has come to an end. 

It was a tight game throughout, but the Badgers dropped a close 52-44 decision to the visiting Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in the first round of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Bob Davis Gymnasium. 

Brock saw balanced scoring with Georges Nwanfdu Nangdu leading the charge with 8 points while Anthony Heyes and Jalen Janes both scored six each. 

On the glass, Nathan Charles was dominant, gathering a game-high 11 boards. 

It was a turnover-filled first quarter as there were seven total between the two squads in the first five minutes of the contest.  

Despite shooting just 10 per cent from the field and going 0-for-7 from beyond the arc, the Badgers only trailed by two points at 10-8. Six of their eight points were achieved by their 100% shooting percentage from the free-throw line. 

Both teams scored only 13 points, respectively, in the second quarter as it continued to be a tight contest.

A layup from Heyes brought the deficit for the Badgers down to two as the hosts trailed 23-21 after 20 minutes of play. 

The Badgers shot much better from the field at a 50 per cent clip in third frame. They finally took their first lead back at 33-30 since they were up 11-10 with eight minutes and 45 seconds left in the second.  

In contrast, the Ridgebacks went ice cold as they shot 2-for-14 for 14.3 per cent from the field which the Badgers took advantage of to help create a 39-32 lead, their largest of the evening, after the third quarter. 

Both teams continued to go dry as midway through the fourth quarter as they were under 15 per cent shooting from the field and a combined zero per cent from the three-point line.  

The Badgers kept their lead for most of the frame until Zubair Sayed hit a three-pointer at 44-43 with 2:33 left to give the Ridgebacks their first advantage since midway through the third. 

An 8-1 run aided by some key free throws helped give the Ridgebacks the 52-44 victory. 

The loss ends the Badgers' 2024-25 campaign as they finish with a 15-7 regular season record and a third-place finish in the OUA Central Division. With only one graduating senior, the Badgers have much to look forward to as they build for next season.