Nov. 18: Brock roundup: Morris, Small-Martin athletes of week
Women’s basketball player Jessica Morris and men’s basketball player Kascius Small-Martin were named the Brock University Athletes of the Week for the week ending Nov. 17.
Morris, a senior forward from Guelph, scored 15 points and collected 14 rebounds to help her team defeat the Lakehead Thunderwolves 68-51 on Nov. 15. Morris led the Badgers with 19 points and hit all five of her attempts at the free-throw line during their second contest versus Lakehead, a 72-39 win, on Nov. 16.
Small-Martin, a junior guard from Markham, led the men’s basketball team in scoring during a back-to-back home series versus the No. 8 Lakehead Thunderwolves. On Nov. 15, Small-Martin scored 20 points and added eight rebounds, three assists and four steals in a close 74-73 loss. In the second game on Nov. 16, Small-Martin led his squad again with 21 points and five assists in a 75-68 victory.
Men’s basketball
The men’s basketball team bounced back with a 75-68 win over No. 8 Lakehead at Bob Davis Gymnasium on Saturday.
On Friday, the Badgers allowed the Thunderwolves back into the game despite a large lead, but this time held the T-Wolves at bay in the fourth quarter.
Brock improves to 4-3 and third place in the OUA Central.
Brock guard Kascius Small-Martin led his team with 21 points while Godsman Kwakwah and Daniel Cayer combined for 23 rebounds.
Noah Lapierre chipped in 15 points and Tyler Brown contributed six assists and five steals.
The Badgers dropped a 74-73 decision to the Thunderwolves Friday.
Small-Martin hit a three-point jump shot with 15 seconds before the Thunderwolves responded to retake the lead and hand the Badgers their third loss of the season.
Brock carried a 45-34 lead into halftime and led by as many as 15 points.
Small-Martin totalled 20 points and eight rebounds, including three assists and four steals.
Kwakwah recorded 18 points while Cayer notched 13 points and 11 rebounds. Tyler Brown added 10 assists.
Up next, the Badgers (4-3) travel to North Bay to face the Nipissing Lakers (3-4) on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
Women’s basketball
The women’s basketball swept a series with the Lakehead Thunderwolves at Bob Davis Gymnasium.
A night after beating Lakehead by 17 points, the Badgers trumped the T-Wolves 72-39 Saturday.
Jessica Morris scored 19 points and Sam Keltos collected 12 rebounds.
The Thunderwolves led for five minutes in the first half before the Badgers hit the gas and pulled away.
Melissa Tatti added 15 points, six assists and five steals, while Kristin Gallant scored 10 points.
Friday, Morris scored 15 points and added 14 rebounds while Tatti poured in 18 points to lead the offence and registered seven assists and six rebounds.
“Not exactly the way I planned it. We came out a little flat in the first half,” head coach Mike Rao said. “We had more energy in the second half. Our defence was a lot tighter and we began to hit some shots. Overall, a good performance by the bench.”
Kristin Gallant contributed 16 points including six rebounds.
Up next, the Badgers (6-1) begin a four-game road trip when the play the Nipissing Lakers (2-5) on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.
Basketball moves to Meridian
The women’s and men’s basketball teams will host a Paint the Meridian Red doubleheader at the Meridian Centre Saturday, Jan. 11. The women’s game will tip off at 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 p.m.
Men’s basketball head coach Willy Manigat said he’s excited to have his team compete on such a large stage.
“It’s important for us to promote the sport of basketball in the Niagara community,” Manigat said. “As I’ve said many times, this region has so much basketball potential and I hope to be a big part of that growth.”
Tickets for the doubleheader are now on sale on Ticketmaster online with prices set at $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $8 for kids 12 and under. Limited courtside seats are available for $25.
Women’s head coach Mike Rao said this game is a special moment for his players.
“For most young players, playing at the Meridian Centre is a chance of a lifetime,” Rao said. “This is especially true for our local players. The chance to play and shine in front of your family and friends is an awesome experience.”
The women’s team features two Niagara-born newcomers — Sam Keltos of St. Catharines and Destiny Paquin of Welland — who have yet to play at the Meridian Centre, but can’t wait to hit the court.
“I haven’t experienced a game like this before, but I’m very excited for it,” said Keltos, who graduated from Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. “Big events like this makes people passionate about the game. It gives people something to look forward to and rallies everyone together to come and support the university.”
For every student ticket sold, $1 will be donated to the Brock University Students’ Union Food First Program, an on-campus food bank supporting undergraduate and graduate students.
Men’s hockey
The Guelph Gryphons snapped the No. 8 men’s hockey team’s seven-game win streak with a 5-1 win at Seymour-Hannah Arena Friday.
Brock’s Justin Brack scored early in the third with assists by Skylar Pacheco and Connor Walters.
The Badgers outshot the Gryphons 31-25.
Goaltender Mario Cavaliere made 22 saves to record his second shutout of the season as the Badgers blanked the Laurier Golden Hawks 2-0 in Waterloo on Thursday.
Cavaliere made 22 saves to record his second shut out of the season.
“Our team defence has been much better since the start of the season,” head coach Marty Williamson said. “But most importantly Cavs has been making the saves we need.”
Brock outshot Laurier 26-22.
Brayden Stortz opened the scoring just under six minutes into the match and Tyler Rollo added a goal early in the second period.
Jordan Sambrook, Johnny Schaefer, Jared Marino and Connor Brown each tallied an assist.
Up next, the Badgers (8-5) embark on a three-game road trip to Toronto where they visit York (Nov. 22) and Ryerson for a pair of games on Nov. 23 and 28.
Women’s hockey
Cassidy Maplethorpe scored the game-winning goal as the women’s hockey team ended a three-game skid with a 2-1 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on the road Friday.
Maplethorpe and Hunter Accursi each scored back-to-back goals in the second period after a scoreless first.
Ontario Tech’s Jillian Banks scored in the dying minutes of the game to spoil Jensen Murphy’s shut out. Murphy finished with 26 saves.
Annie Berg, Lauren Diks and Amelia Lackie each recorded an assist. Berg leads the team in scoring with eight points, all assists. Maplethorpe is second with three goals and three helpers.
Saturday, the Queen’s Golden Gaels blanked the Badgers 2-0 in Kingston.
Up next, the Badgers (3-6) host the Waterloo Warriors on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7:15 p.m.
Men’s volleyball
The men’s volleyball team battled the No. 9 Toronto Varsity Blues, but ultimately lost 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 16-25, 25-27) at Bob Davis Gymnasium on Sunday.
“I thought that we made some poor attacking decisions tonight that ultimately cost us a tight game,” head coach Matt Ragogna said. “We didn’t win the serve game, but again have a lot of young players who are growing from this experience.”
First-year players Nanle Yusuf and Saulius Lianga led the Badgers in kills with 13 and 12, respectively.
Defensively, Yusuf registered 12 digs, while Christopher Chapman and Peter Schnabel each recorded four blocks.
Marcelo Correa contributed 20 assists and Grant Reddon added 15.
Up next, the Badgers (2-5) look to snap their four-game losing streak when they visit the Waterloo Warriors (1-5) on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. and return home to face off against the Guelph Gryphons (5-1) on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8 p.m.
Women’s volleyball
The women’s volleyball team pushed the No. 4 Toronto Varsity Blues to the brink in a 3-2 loss (16-25, 25-19, 18-25, 26-24, 13-15) at Bob Davis Gymnasium on Sunday.
It was the first loss of the season for the Badgers.
“It was a good match. We didn’t play well in sets one and three and gave away too many points,” head coach Steve Delaney said. “We also got tight at the end of the fifth and it cost us.”
After Brock fell behind 2-1, the Badgers held off a Varsity Blues’ comeback to win the fourth set 26-24.
Laura Condotta racked up 17 kills and 11 digs, while Gigi Markotic added 12 with a .296 hitting percentage.
Darby Taylor scored 10 kills and setter Emily Armstrong posted 46 assists
Taylor, Markotic and Aleiah Torres each posted 12 digs.
“We will learn from this and move on,” Delaney said. “I am proud of how we battled.”
Up next, the Badgers (6-1) travel to Waterloo on Friday, Nov. 22 before returning home and hosting the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
