Back-to-Back Victories to Close Out the Regular Season

Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Oak Hills Men's Basketball Team finished their regular season with back-to-back wins against NIAC (Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) opponent, the University of St. Boniface. These two victories have cemented the Wolfpack's 4^th place finish in the NIAC Standings for the season as they head into the Conference Post Season Tournament next weekend.

The first game on Friday was a back and forth battle throughout the first two quarters of play. The Wolfpack would take only a two point lead just before the halftime break going into the locker rooms with the score at 35-33.

The 3^rd quarter is where the score would open up wide for Oak Hills as they would outscore USB 24-4 during those 10 minutes of play. This quarter of play would prove to be the decisive stretch of the game as during the 4^th quarter, the teams would go back to battling back-and-forth for each point.

The final buzzer would sound with the score showing 73-57 and the Wolfpack would be going into the follow up game the next day with a boost.

The Wolfpack were led by freshman, Noah Larson (Park Rapids, MN) who would add yet another double-double to his impressive freshman season. Larson scored 22 points in the game and pulled down 11 rebounds. Junior Bryson Keepers, (Sheldon, WI) would also play a huge role in this victory as he added his season high of 18 points and also added 7 rebounds and 4 steals.

The 2^nd game of the weekend would showcase Oak Hill's balanced offensive threats with all 5 of the starters finishing the game with 10 points or more.

The 1^st quarter would show USB taking charge on their home court, and the Wolfpack would be down 10-17 during the first 10 minutes of play. The 2^nd quarter, however, would be Oak Hills chance to fight back as they would outscore USB and gain the lead with the score being 40-37 going into the halftime break.

The first 3 minutes of the 3^rd quarter would showcase the Wolfpack's defensive capabilities as Oak Hills would keep St Boniface scoreless while they pushed their lead out. The quarter would end with a score of 67-50 as the Wolfpack continued to move the ball well and find openings in the USB defense.

The final quarter would be a back-and-forth battle as Oak Hills relied on their lead to finish out the final 10 minutes of play and got the victory with the score ending at 82-68.

Keepers would end this game with another 18 points, but would add his first double-double of the season with 13 rebounds to go along with 5 assists. Senior Alexander Gonzalez (Miami, FL) would also be a key scorer for the team as he added 18 points as well to go with a game high 7 assists. Larson would add another double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds on the day. Freshman Caleb Smoot (McDonough, GA) would put up 13 points and 8 rebounds and freshman Ben Chavez Rodriguez (Woodbury, MN) would round out the double digit scorers with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The Wolfpack will be back in action at the NIAC Postseason tournament next weekend being hosted by Free Lutheran Bible College in Plymouth, MN. Game times and live stream links will be posted as they become available.