Thunder men fall just short Feb. 8

In a thrilling back-and-forth game, the Algonquin Thunder men’s basketball lost 64-59 to the St. Lawrence College Knights on Feb. 8.

The 8-9 Thunder were in position to win the game with 1:55 to go, tied 59-59, but the 6-11 Knights would go onto score the final five points of the night.

Forward Simon Desta led the way in scoring for the Thunder with 16 points and nine rebounds. Point guard Jay Springs also provided a strong effort with 14 points and seven rebounds for the hosts in front of a near-capacity and energetic Ron Port Athletic Facility.

While the Thunder currently need just one win to assure themselves of a playoff position, head coach Trevor Costello lamented the team’s current five-game losing skid.

“We’re in such a slide that I don’t know how we can get out of it to be honest with you,” he said.

“All we need is one more win to make the playoffs,” Costello said. “And I don’t hope that we don’t make it, but right now we’re taking up somebody’s spot that’s deserving of a spot if we do make it.”

The first-half of the game was a tight defensive affair, but it was the second-half where the men’s performance declined from exploding offensively to struggling to protect the paint.

Desta was part of the offensive explosion, as he made two spinning lay-ups followed by a deep-three pointer to give the Thunder a 15-point lead midway through the third-quarter. However, they would relinquish that lead early on in the fourth-quarter.

“We just lost intensity,” Desta said. “We let them get into the paint and that created a lot of opportunities for them.”

The Thunder now have two road games left to play before the playoffs begin. Their next game is at Fleming College on Saturday, Feb. 16.