Saturday 15 January 2011

McMaster 87, Brock 65

Using a stifling man-to-man "d" that strategically sprinkled in a zone on selective possessions, the surging Marauders held Brock to only 41 points and under 30% shooting after 3 quarters to win their fourth consecutive game after the Holidays.  Mac used an 11-0 run off the start of the second quarter to establish an early double digit lead and later when the Badgers got the lead back down to 9, the Marauders finished the half on a 12-6 run to lead by 15 going into halftime, culminated on a slick, driving baseline reverse by 6'8" Scott Brittain, who keyed the game-deciding run with several offensive boards and nice finishes.  Mac is clearly a very different team with Brittain in the lineup with his array of offensive talent and veteran decision-making qualities.  Brittain finished with 17 points (15 after 3 quarters), 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Marauders continue to show that their depth is of the quality of the top-tier team as Mac played much of the third quarter with their bench, easily dealing with Brock pressure as a pair of freshmen 6'6" Satar Wahidi and 6'0" pg Kyle Giedraitis were instrumental in stretching Mac's advantge to 23 after three quarters.  Promising 6'8" freshman Taylor Black added 14 points in just 15 minutes for Mac, sitting out much of the first half with 3 early fouls while 6'6" vet Cam Michaud added 14 points and 8 rebounds.  6'3" soph Victor Raso contributed his usual gritty effort, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds and adding 3 assists, 4 steals and several loose ball recoveries in 28 minutes.

6'2" Mike Cruickshank, a fifth-year transfer from Humber College, finished with 20 points for Brock while steady 6'1" pg Andrew Kraus, another transfer from Brandon via Acadia, had only 6 points, 8 rebounds and turned it over 5 times in 19 minutes, part of 29 Badger turnovers.

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