The Thunderwolves defeated Toronto to earn a first-round bye

Thunder Bay - The Lakehead Thunderwolves have clinched a first-round bye.

On Saturday, the Toronto Varsity Blues fell 74-71 to the visiting University of Toronto Blues, a win that gave Lakehead University the OUA Central Division title, giving them a three-game lead over the Brock Badgers with two games remaining.

The division champion earns one of the top three seeds, and the second-place team can also earn a first-round bye and a fourth seed in the men's basketball playoffs.

Lakehead (17-3) cannot be caught by Western (13-7), the leader of the OUA West Division. They still have a chance to compete for the top seed, but need Ottawa to lose their remaining two games, and Lakehead must win their final two games on the road next weekend.

The Varsity Blues (7-13) gave the Thunderwolves a tough battle all weekend, especially on the second night of the weekend series.

Rohan Scott-Smith hit a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter to give Toronto a 62-61 lead, but they couldn't hold it.

Twenty-one seconds later, Eduardo Hernandez answered back, and the Thunderwolves never trailed again that night - although a minute later, the Varsity Blues tied it up again.

In the tight game, Lakehead turned to star guard Nathan Bilamu.

With 4:33 left in regulation, Bilamu hit a three-pointer to make it 69-65. Then, with 3:24 left, he made two free throws.

Harold Santacruz sealed the win with one of two free throws in the final minute of the game.

With 11 seconds left in regulation, Toronto had a chance to tie, but Rohan Scott-Smith missed a three-pointer, and Chris Sagl grabbed the rebound to seal the win.

Bilamu, the OUA's second-leading scorer, finished with a game-high 26 points, bringing his season average to 20 points. Santacruz had 18. Toronto had four players in double figures, led by Lennart Weber with 17. Scott-Smith had 16. The division champion earns one of the top three seeds, and the second-place team can also earn a first-round bye and a fourth seed in the men's basketball playoffs.

Lakehead (17-3) cannot be caught by Western (13-7), the leader of the OUA West Division. They still have a chance to compete for the top seed, but need Ottawa to lose their remaining two games, and Lakehead must win their final two games on the road next weekend.

The Varsity Blues (7-13) gave the Thunderwolves a tough battle all weekend, especially on the second night of the weekend series.

Rohan Scott-Smith hit a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter to give Toronto a 62-61 lead, but they couldn't hold it.

Twenty-one seconds later, Eduardo Hernandez answered back, and the Thunderwolves never trailed again that night - although a minute later, the Varsity Blues tied it up again.

In the tight game, Lakehead turned to star guard Nathan Bilamu.

With 4:33 left in regulation, Bilamu hit a three-pointer to make it 69-65. Then, with 3:24 left, he made two free throws.

Harold Santacruz sealed the win with one of two free throws in the final minute of the game.

With 11 seconds left in regulation, Toronto had a chance to tie, but Rohan Scott-Smith missed a three-pointer, and Chris Sagl grabbed the rebound to seal the win.

Bilamu, the OUA's second-leading scorer, finished with a game-high 26 points, bringing his season average to 20 points. Santacruz had 18. Toronto had four players in double figures, led by Lennart Weber with 17. Scott-Smith had 16.

Source: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/thunderwolves-clinch-first-round-bye-with-win-over-toronto-10206649