Thunder MBB Sweep Eagles, Slide into Top Spot in the ACAC North
Posted on: Nov 14, 2016
It was a tough but rewarding weekend for the Thunder Men鈥檚 Basketball squad as they held off a ferocious King鈥檚 Eagles team on back-to-back nights, moving their record to 8-2 in conference play; good enough for top spot in the ACAC North.
An ugly game on Friday night at the RKAC would see the Thunder lead 11-8 after the first and 33-26 at the half.聽 The Thunder would find a way to go up 24 in the fourth frame and hold off the Eagles for the 74-63 win. 鈥�(it was) our ugliest game of the year for sure,鈥� said Coach Reagan Wood after the game. 鈥淲e found a way to win but we have to be a lot better in many areas.聽 King’s did a great job with their pressure and forced mistakes on our end.聽 Good to win on a night like this though.鈥� Leaders for the Thunder 鈥� Ryan McLaren with a solid night registering 15 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Mike Malin had a nice outside touch knocking down 3 threes on his way to 13 points.聽 Brett Jakubec and Kwame Kang pitched in from the guard spots with 12 apiece.聽 Ron Bacon notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Night two at King鈥檚, the Eagles would take a 42-37 lead into the half but an unbelievable 3rd stanza from the Thunder 鈥� wherein they shot 100% from the floor (12/12, 4/4 from 3) and 8/9 at the charity stripe 鈥� would vault the Thunder up 12 heading into the 4th. Concordia had to fend off a late push from the home side but left the floor with a 90-80 win. 鈥淲e finally solved their pressure in the second half and were able to get a lot of quality shots that we converted,鈥� noted Coach Wood. 鈥淲e have emphasized ball security and shot selection all season. You never expect to shoot that well for an entire half (80% in the second) but it is the fruit of some hard work, combined with talent.聽 We need to continue to work hard all week heading into a huge weekend with a very talented and skilled Lakeland team.鈥� Leaders for the Thunder 鈥� a massive night from Ron Bacon 鈥� 33 points and 11 rebounds. Ryan McLaren also tallied a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds while adding 5 assists. Mike Malin kept his hand hot from 3 hitting another 4, tallying 14 points.聽 Bevan Purnell had his best game of the season with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
As mentioned, the Lakeland Rustlers are next up for the Thunder. In fact their next 4 league games are against the Rustlers, matchups that will be key in the ACAC North playoff picture.