MacEwan Athletics

CALGARY – The baptism by fire for the young MacEwan Griffins men's basketball team had another important chapter on Saturday night.

Although the result wasn't in the win column – rather an 85-68 loss to the Mount Royal University Cougars – the team was led by its youth movement.

"We played much better tonight," said head coach Mike Connolly. "Our young guys played well. It was an important game for growth."

Rookie Milan Jaksic and veteran Luke Harold shared the team lead with 14 points each, while Matthew Osunde had 13 points and eight rebounds. Marco Mariani Correas added seven points and eight rebounds.

Dylan Lutes, Chase Bohne and former Griffin Lincoln Anderson each had 13 points for MRU.

The Griffins were in the game most of the way before a rough patch in the third quarter.

"It was tied 40-40 at the half," noted Connolly. "We had a tough four minutes in the third quarter that put us down 13. It stayed that way until the end when we took some chances and they hit a big three."

The Griffins are next in action for their home opener on Nov. 12 vs. Calgary (8 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV presented by Co-op).