The Highlight Reel: Jan. 25
A shining star is born
Fresh ink was added to the University of Ottawa men’s basketball history books in Saturday night’s resounding 100–79 victory over the Queen’s Gaels.
Simply put, fourth-year forward Terry Thomas has become a star.
Thomas became only the fourth member of Gee-Gee men’s basketball history to score 40 points in a game and came within an inch of breaking Gee-Gee alumnus Warren Ward’s record of 43 single-game points. Thomas finished with a stunning 42 points and padded his scoring with four rebounds, three steals, and an assist. Seeing Thomas’ energy on the court was nothing short of amazing. Whether it was high-flying ferocious dunks or picturesque threes, he could do no wrong.
“I was just in rhythm,” said Thomas. “We needed scoring once again, and I’m glad I was finding my rhythm early and my team was helping me out too. I wasn’t really focused on trying to beat any records, I was just trying to win. It was a battle, and you get in that mindset, in your zone, and you’re just trying to outscore your opponents.”
Head coach James Derouin said, “The first half was scary good, he kept it going in the second half. He was great, and we needed him to be great tonight because Johnny [Berhanemeskel] was a little off. We needed someone to step up and Terry was there.”
The nation’s number two ranked Gee-Gees once again displayed how well rounded they are as a unit with another impressive victory, improving their record to 14–2 on the season.
The men will look to continue their dominance when they take on fifth-ranked Ryerson University in Toronto on Jan. 31 at 8 p.m.
Disappointing defeat for Gee-Gees women’s hoops
The Gees women’s basketball team entered their home game against the Queen’s Gaels on Saturday night riding the high of a three-game win streak and exited on the losing end of a thriller. The game was almost in the hands of the Gaels late in the fourth quarter before a clutch three-pointer from first-year guard Sarah Besselink knotted the game at 43, forcing overtime. The game would ultimately slip out of reach for the Gee-Gees in the extra frame, when the Gaels found a way to fight for the 57–46 victory.
The game was low in scoring and a very close affair throughout — neither team had any security in a lead. The U of O’s women struggled to get shots to fall and were hurt by turnovers at key moments. This has been the third straight game in which key veterans have been missing due to injuries and this time the rookies could not get the job done.
“We’ve got some girls that just aren’t ready to go yet,” said Gee-Gees head coach Andy Sparks. “We’re asking first-year kids to make plays for us in that situation; we have opportunities to win the game.”
The Gees will look to get back into the win column on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. when they travel to Toronto to take on the Ryerson Rams.
