(London, Ontario) – The Fanshawe Men's Basketball team (13-6) upset the #8 nationally ranked Sheridan Bruins (14-5) at home on Thursday evening 98-90. It was a milestone night for Falcons guard Chris Parker (Toledo, OH), who joined the OCAA 1000-point club in only three seasons. Parker recorded 32 points in the win, making his career total 1025 with one game remaining.
Fanshawe's defense was stellar in the first frame, containing Sheridan's high powered offense. A triple from local guard Carter Hawthornthwaite opened the scoring for the Falcons. Parker recorded 10 first quarter points, and in the process recorded his 1000th career point. After quarter one, the score was 20-12 in favour of the Birds.
Parker continued the hustle in the second frame with a steal. Alfred Johnson (London, ON) got himself on the scoresheet with a nice hook shot in the paint. The Falcons continued to pressure defensively with Mohamed Alor (Winnipeg, MB) drawing an offensive foul. Hawthornthwaite would then hit a stop and pop midrange jumper for the red and white. The Bruins however would knock down free throws to cut Fanshawe's lead to 32-29 going into the locker room.
In a fast paced third quarter, Fanshawe caught fire from behind the arc. Kuek Duol (London, ON), Salim Bagabe (Kitchener, ON) and Alor all hit 3-pointers for the Falcons. A layup from Hanani Ujullu (Kitchener, ON) would extend Fanshawe's lead to 68-58. The Falcons' defense held Sheridan to only nine points in the third quarter.
The red and white opened the fourth frame with five straight points. A jumper from Mosses Orozco-Rayo (London, ON) and put-back from Bagabe stretched Fanshawe's lead to 14 midway with four minutes remaining. Sheridan chipped away at the Falcons' lead with strong finishes inside the paint. Fanshawe stayed composed and converted on their free throws down the stretch to take the game 98-90. The Falcons outrebounded the Bruins 53-43 and set a new Fanshawe Men's Basketball team record for most rebounds in a single-season with 953.
The Falcons will conclude regular season play against #12 Niagara (13-5) at the Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre on Saturday, February 16 at 8pm.
See Parker's 1000th OCAA career point here:
Chris Parker has joined @TheOCAA 1000 point club with this bucket! �� pic.twitter.com/sRMsbFZKbJ
— Fanshawe Falcons (@FanshaweFalcons) February 14, 2019