UBC began Saturday night’s men's basketball game against Ottawa by sailing to a 9-2 lead. Thanks to some hard takes by Conor Morgan, some low-post finesse by David Wagner and an all-around game by Will Ondrik, UBC went on a few runs in the first half. But every time they did, Ottawa bounced back with a shower of threes.
The first half was highlighted by a monster jam from Morgan who took off from far outside the key on a fast break to slam it in one-handed. The smooth long range pull-ups of UBC point-guard Philip Jalalpoor were a sight to behold as well as the masterful dribbling and three-point shooting of Ottawa guard, Mike L’Africain.
UBC led 42-41 at the half.
Coming out of the break, Ottawa struggled to score early on. But thanks to more expert dribbling and shooting from L’Africain, they tied halfway through the third at 48 a piece. Thirty seconds after tying things up, Ottawa drained a three-pointer giving themselves their first lead of the game.
The lead then bounced back and forth. But thanks to UBC rookie Taylor Browne, who hit a three down the stretch and a layup at the buzzer, the T-Birds entered the fourth up 64-58.
The T-Birds began the homestretch strong as Morgan nailed a contested, NBA-range three to put UBC up by nine — But then began the offensive onslaught of Ottawa guard Caleb Agada. Whether it was to drive, kick or to shoot it himself, Agada blew by defenders repeatedly to help Ottawa chip away at UBC’s lead.
With just 1:37 to go, Ottawa stripped the ball from Wagner which lead to a fast-break and a trip to the line for L’Africain which cut the Ottawa deficit to two at 77-75.
After the T-Birds turn over the ball on the following play, Agada blew by his defender yet again. This drew the defence and left Ottawa forward, Brody Maracle, open under the hoop to lay in the game tying two.
Ottawa stole the ball from UBC next time down and slowed the tempo. With the shot clock winding down, Agada launched a quick three. Everyone in the crowd watched closely as the ball soared through the net. Ottawa led 80-77 with 25 seconds remaining and UBC called a timeout.
Out of the timeout, Browne drove to the hole, spun off the Ottawa defence, went up for a reverse layup with eight seconds left — and missed.
UBC fouled immediately. Ottawa went to the line and sunk two and then two more a few seconds later after UBC missed again.
Ottawa finished off UBC 84 - 77.
“I thought we had them,” said Morgan who lead UBC in scoring with 20. “We just didn’t perform well in the clutch … but it’s a long season and that’s the whole reason we had this tournament — to get the kinks out early. So I think we’ll see those guys later on in the year and hopefully we’ll get the better of them.”