Thunder Win At The Buzzer To Split Weekend Series with Lakeland
EDMONTON, AB (November 13, 2021) – The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder welcomed the Lakeland College Rustlers Saturday night as they opened their regular season home schedule. A back and forth game throughout, the Thunder won at the buzzer to take the game 107-106.
The first quarter started with the Thunder going on an early run to grab the lead out of the gate. Behind six points from #8 Liam O'Hallahan and five points from #14 Alex Maclean, the Thunder took a 31-21 lead after the first quarter. Into the second, the Rustlers fought back and were able to close the gap as they outscored the Thunder in the second quarter 24-22, but the Thunder held onto the lead at the half 53-45. The Rustlers carried this momentum into the third quarter as they not only closed the gap, but took a lead. Outscoring CUE 28-18 in the period lead by eight points from #1 Jace Klinkner, Lakeland took a 73-71 lead after three setting up for a fantastic finish. The action of the fourth quarter carried all the way into the final minute as both teams exchanged baskets down the stretch. With six second left, Klinkner hit a free throw to put the Rustlers up one. But six seconds as all #1 Nyasha Mubayiwa needed, as he hit a jump shot from the free throw like with 0.2 seconds left to give the Thunder a one point lead, and ultimately the win.
After the game, Head Coach Reagan Wood commented: "we learned some valuable lessons yesterday that we were able to apply in tonight's game. Having fans back in the gym was awesome and I'm proud of how we represented ourselves on the court tonight." Talking about the game winning shot from Mubayiwa, Coach Wood added: "That lost shot by Nyasha was incredible. For a guy in his second college basketball game – to make a play like that – is amazing."
The One Team Sports players of the game were #1 Jace Klinkner for Lakeland and #8 Liam O'Hallahan for the Thunder.
The Thunder return to action next weekend as they head to Grande Prairie for a Friday night/Saturday afternoon double header against the Wolves. The Thunder return home November 27th when the welcome the NAIT Ooks.