The 2020 U Sports men’s consolation final bets the Alberta Golden Bears against the Ottawa Gee-Gees after both teams won their consolation semi finals at the Ravens Nest on March 7.
Alberta Golden Bears 71-61 Calgary Dinos
Against familiar opponents, the Alberta Golden Bears used a surge of energy in the final quarter to defeat the Calgary Dinos and send themselves to the consolation final.
Both teams gave it their all and the game was energetic at either end of the court.
It was the Calgary Dinos, led by U Sports Player of the Year Brett Layton with a game high 22 points, who found themselves up 18-10 at the end of the first quarter.
With momentum flowing, they extended their lead heading into the second. At halftime, the score was 31-25 in favour of the Dinos.
The third period saw neither team grab hold of the game as they both put up 19 points, keeping the difference a six points with just one quarter left.
The Golden Bears, however, found a very late surge of energy in the fourth as Brody Clarke and Tyus Jefferson scored a combined 26 points to give their team the victory.
Ottawa Gee-Gees 77-75 Bishops Gaiters
On rival grounds, the Ottawa Gee-Gees booked themselves a chance to capture fifth place after a thrilling win over the Bishop Gaiters.
In a hard fought match, both teams took the game down to the wire to find a winner and it was the Gee-Gee’s Guillame Pepin’s three-pointer that sent his team to the consolation final.
At the start of the game, the score flopped back and forth between both sides and the Bishops held a 24-21 lead at the end of the first.
By halftime, it remained a two point game with the Bishops still on top holding a 40-38 lead.
It wasn’t until the end of the third that the tides turned as the Gee-Gees were heading into the fourth with a slim 59-57 advantage.
Though every quarter it was a close call, the final 10 minutes of the game had fans in the stands holding their breath.
A mix of offensive power and tight defence had the game tied 71-71 with 1:24 left on the clock. Eventually, Bishops grabbed a 75-74 lead with 43.1 left but the Gee-Gees weren’t going to give up.
Ottawa’s player of the game, and joint top scorer, Calvin Epistola had the opportunity to give his side a one point lead but missed a layup.
The Gaiters had possession but someone fumbled the ball and Ottawa drove to the net. With the clock winding down Pepin was passed the fall, faked a shot and then put away a three pointer as the shot clock ran out. The 02.2 left wasn’t enough for the Gaiters to stay alive.
The men’s consolation final between Alberta and Ottawa will take place on March 8 at 1 p.m. in the Ravens Nest.
Feature image by Tim Austen
