MacEwan Athletics

CALGARY – For the second time in three games this season, the Griffins men's basketball team dug themselves too big of an early hole to climb out of as they fell behind by 25 points in the first half and were on the wrong end of an 87-58 blowout loss to Mount Royal University on Friday night.

"Slow start again and foul trouble hurt us in the first half," wrote head coach Mike Connolly in a post-game text. "We played better in the second half and lost it by five.

"It was simply a lack of focus and commitment to their jobs."

Especially glaring, the Griffins gave up an astounding number of offensive rebounds in the contest.

"There was a general lack of intensity shown in giving up 22 offensive rebounds," said Connolly.

"We also shot the ball very poor – 26 per cent from three and 34 per cent from two."

With the result, the Griffins fall to 0-3 in the Canada West standings, while MRU improves to 2-1.

Scottie Austin led the Griffins with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Matthew Osunde added 10 points and eight boards.

MRU was led by Holt Tomie, who finished with a big double double (28 points and 12 rebounds).

The teams will meet again on Saturday (7 p.m., Canada West TV).