THUNDER BAY – Aaron Rhooms is one of the best university basketball players in the country.
The Toronto Metropolitan Bold forward was named the country’s rookie of the year in 2022, was drafted into the CEBL and has been an all-star in his first three seasons of OUA play.
Lakehead’s Nathan Bilamu isn’t nearly as decorated, but didn’t give an inch on Friday night, going toe-to-toe with Rhooms in a contest for the ages at the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse.
Rhooms, who hit from every conceivable angle, poured in 29 points on Friday, but it was Bilamu’s night to shine.
The budding LU star scored a game-high 33 points, including what proved to be the game-winning three-pointer with 26.7 seconds left, leading the Thunderwolves (11-2) past a Bold team looking for a share of top spot in the OUA Central, the final score 89-85.
How tight was the action?
There were 23 lead changes in the game, including four in the final five minutes, neither team able to pull away far enough to feel comfortable.
“Aaron Rhooms is a hell of a player,” said Bilamu, who hit five of nine three-point attempts, hauled in five rebounds and dished out five assists.
“I’m glad about the way we stuck out as a team together. We had a lot of adversity today, but we stuck through it. I’m glad we got the W.”
Lakehead coach Ryan Thomson said Bilamu, in his fourth season of eligibility, has developed into one of Ontario’s top players.
“He’s really grown into being able to be a better decision-maker and playing more pick-and-roll and getting that development here. I think that’s really shown through this year. He had five assists, five rebounds, 33 points – that’s a pretty good night,” Thompson said.
Basketball is a team game, and Bilamu certainly didn’t do it alone.
Harold Santacruz stepped up in a big way when his team needed a boost.
He took a great dish from Chris Sagl in the paint to give LU a 57-54 lead in the third, followed with a pair of made free throws and then spun in the paint for two more, his six-point run giving Lakehead a seven-point advantage.
No lead is safe against the Bold.
Rhooms hit a bucket and two free throws to give TMU a 66-65 lead, but Bilamu tied it late with a three-pointer just before the buzzer to end the third and the two teams hit the fourth deadlocked at 69-69.
Eduardo Hernandez-Bautista opened the fourth with a three pointer that put Lakehead in front, and an Adrian Nowak three made it 78-71.
Then Rhooms went to work, burying a three, then hit another bucket while falling backward to the floor, making it 80-78. Aidan Wilson tied it, but Santacruz answered back with a basket, the lead seeming to change on every possession moving forward.
Bilamu vaulted the Thunderwolves back in front, but Wilson had yet another answer, hitting a three that gave the Bold an 85-84 lead.
After a turnover gave TMU the ball, Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow, cousin of NBA superstar Shae Gilgeous-Alexander, threw up a three, but missed, giving the ball back to the Thunderwolves.
Bilamu didn’t miss on his three-point attempt and Lakehead secured the win after Carsen Unrau drew an unsporting foul, hitting both ensuing free throws to up the lead to four, with 11.7 on the clock and Lakehead retaining possession.
Keylian Couliabaly had 15 points off the bench for the Thunderwolves, including a pair of monstrous two-handed dunks, to the delight of the packed house on hand for the game.
The two teams meet again on Saturday. Game time is 8 p.m.
