On Monday, January 22, the Loyalists defended their home court against the Franco-Niagara Lions in round two of a match-up with these two teams as they battle to secure a place in the 2023-2024 NRHSAA playoffs. The last time RLA played this team, the Lions had the homecourt advantage, but the Loyalists prevailed with a final score of 67 – 37.
Unlike in the previous matchup, the Loyalists got off to a slow start, but the Loyalists’ power forward Bryant Ogoh was able to secure 8 defensive rebounds in the first quarter alone. The Loyalists closed out the first quarter 18-3.
The visiting team upped their game in the second quarter. Each time the Loyalists drove to the basket, the Lions hammered the home team and dared them to convert at the free-throw line. RLA did struggle to make their free-throws, sinking only four of 22 shots. RLA was held to only ten points in the quarter but went in to half-time up 28-11.
RLA continued to struggle in the third quarter to answer the push by the Lions and overcome the mental and physical fatigue of the first half of the game. Held to only 7 points in the third, RLA maintained the lead by holding the Lions to only six points.
The Loyalists began the fourth quarter with much confidence but continued to struggle to make good on previously missed layups and poorly executed free-throw attempts. After a quick time out for RLA, Bryant Ogoh was able to rip down 4 more rebounds for a total of 12 for the game and 4 monster blocks to send a distinct message to the visiting team. The defensive momentum ignited back up small forward, Nathaniel Cobrand to throw down an emphatic block on the opposing team’s big man number 25.
Both teams battled to the last buzzer with the Lions holding the Loyalists to 11 points for the last quarter. Among those 11 points, 7 were contributed by Will Kulidjian who had a career high of 13 points for the Loyalists.
The Loyalists claimed victory at the buzzer with a 45-28 win over Franco-Niagara.
Contributing scorers for RLA were Stephen-Obama Delva 8 points; Will Kulidjian 13 points; Tom Zunik 10 points; Chubee Ihedioha 4 points; Bryant Ogoh 12 points.
