Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – As they stared down the possibility of ending a losing streak that goes back more than three years, the MacEwan Griffins men's basketball team bench began to buzz.
Tied 67-all with the visiting Trinity Western Spartans with just 2:49 left on Friday, the contest hung in the balance.
The crowd hovered on the edge of their seats.
Alas, a couple of missed free throws, a few lost offensive boards and some shots that rattled around the rim and out added up to a narrow 75-70 loss for the hard-luck Griffins.
"Again, (it was) youthful turnovers at the wrong times," said MacEwan head coach Mike Connolly. "No one's at fault, but it's just those little things that are hurting us.
"If we don't turn the ball over 29 times, we win. If we don't start the first half with 17 turnovers, we win. And that's part of our youth."
Despite the loss, it was an impressive performance by a team comprised entirely of players in their first and second years of eligibility.
Remember that 10 months ago, MacEwan lost by 37 points to the same Spartans team, minus former star Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath, in the opening round of the Canada West playoff tournament.
So, you want progression and development?
It's right here, right now.
"(Assistant coaches) Seb (Cava) and Samson (Cleare), who haven't been with us over Christmas came in and said 'look guys, we are way better than we were the first term. We haven't been around, so we come and see we're improving.' I think that gives us confidence.
"We didn't fold, we didn't give it away, we didn't get thumped," he added. "We competed and brought it back. I'm telling the guys that's what they have to learn. Competing and working allows you to be at the dance."
David Mutabazi led the Spartans with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Mason Bourcier chipped in 13 points, Tre Fillmore had 12 and Josh Belvin poured in 11 off the bench.
MacEwan had three players in double digits, led by an aggressive and impressive night from Job Janda, who had 18 points – including going 9-for-12 from the free throw line – in just 19 minutes on the court. Damilola Osuma also made hay with just 19 minutes of action due to foul trouble, scoring 14, while second semester addition Hugo Alonso – in his first game – had 10 points and five rebounds.
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— MacEwan Griffins (@MacEwanGriffins) January 7, 2023
Job Janda hits a nice three off a great pass from Matthew Osunde as @MacewanBasketb1 continues to fight tooth and nail with the @TWUSpartans. They trail 50-49 heading to the final 10 minutes of @CanadaWest action.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/VrPpphjYWV
"What they have to figure out is the game of basketball is you learn to play with what you've got," said Connolly. "You learn to play with your abilities. I'm not a three-point shooter, so I'm plugging up the key like Dami and playing inside and I'm rebounding everything and helping. Job's active defensively but gets the ball in the high post. He can rip and go by guys. What they're trying to figure out is do what you do well and do that more."
Alonso, who hails from Madrid, Spain, started on the bench, but was on the court in the final minute for the Griffins.
"We put the guys in that were returning and he earned the minutes as the game went on," said Connolly. "He didn't force things. I think he's a very smart player. He's long and he's going to be a good one for us down the road."
The coach also praised Matthew Osunde and Scottie Austin for alternating at point guard, even though it's not their true position ("They're doing a hell of a job under the circumstances") and singled out two bench players who put in a strong shift.
"I was really happy with Nathyn (Whitedeer) and Austen (Dreaver) who came off the bench," he said. "We went on a 15-0 run with our starters out (late in the second quarter). Job, Dami and Milan were on the bench for the whole second quarter because they had two fouls. Those bench guys came in and battled, worked, and chipped away and the next thing you know we're down only four at the half. Our bench is showing depth and now that depth can wear teams down. Hopefully. We'll see."
The teams will meet again on Saturday (4 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
