Undefeated Bruins win sixth straight contest

STORY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CORDELL VENTURA

“It’s very tough for people to beat them every game whether they’re coming into your gym or you’re going into their gym.” — Head coach Jim Flack

The Sheridan Bruins men’s basketball team (OCAA 6-0) kept their winning streak alive with a 75-73 overtime victory against the Niagara College Knights (OCAA 4-1) last Friday.

Late in the fourth quarter, it seemed the Bruins were just moments away from their first loss of the season but Double-Blue guard Brian Owusu dropped a three-pointer with just 2.4 seconds remaining. That tied the game at 69 points apiece and forced overtime.

The momentum had shifted back and forth throughout the match as neither squad could find their rhythm early in the game but the Bruins had enough in them to close the game out in the extra quarter.

“The game was exhausting and I’m sure the fans enjoyed it but I don’t tend to enjoy those close games that much,” said Bruins head coach Jim Flack. “I’d rather win by 25 but it’s entertaining and it’s fun to watch.”

Despite the flashy finish, the Bruins barely scraped together the win. They lacked consistency, putting up only 10 points in the second quarter, 28 in the third and then 14 in the fourth.

“This is a completely different Niagara program,” said Flack. “Especially in the last three or four years, they’re doing things the right way and they’ll be a force. It’s very tough for people to beat them every game whether they’re coming into your gym or you’re going into their gym. Heck, [Niagara] hadn’t even lost yet coming into this game and we hadn’t either.”

He realizes his team’s streak will all come to an end eventually.

“Sometimes you learn more after losing a game than you do winning one. Luckily, we got away with one today thanks to Brian [Owusu] hitting that huge shot. But hopefully we learned something without putting one in the loss column.”

Point guard Dylan Periana led the way for Sheridan with 23 points and eight rebounds while Owusu scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Freshman forward Keenan Danso-Dapaah knocked down three of six field goals and recorded nine points, four rebounds and added a steal. In his first year with the Bruins, he has already impressed the coaching staff.

“He’s going to be a great player,” Flack said. “He’s doing a lot of things that you would expect a freshman to do. He’s making mental errors, but he is a smart player and if continues to listen and improve, which he does, then he’s going to be a great player.

Danso-Dapaah averages 6.2 points, four rebounds and two assists per game this season.

“He doesn’t challenge you when you correct him,” added Flack. “He listens, takes it in, and likes to improve. That’s why we recruited him.”

Flack and Danso-Dapaah seem to be on the same page. “I am not selfish. I love to facilitate the ball. One of my goals this season is to become more aggressive,” he said prior to the start of the season.

Next up on the Bruins schedule are division rivals the Humber Hawks (OCAA 3-3). The Bruins will host the Hawks next Thursday at the Davis Campus.