THUNDER BAY – It was the kind of game that allowed Michael Okafor to show his flashy side.
The first-year forward demonstrated his high-flying ways, dunking at every chance he good get – and he had plenty of opportunities, what with the 29 steals made by Okafor and his Thunderwolves teammates – while putting up 28 points in a 91-73 home-court win over the visiting Windsor Lancers on Friday night at the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse.
Okafor, who had 13 at the half, said keeping the crowd entertained and into the game helped energize the team, who trailed 21-18 after one quarter, but led by six at halftime and never really looked back from there.
“When fans some out to show support, you want to put on a show for them and do the little stuff that makes us win and also play like a family. That’s how we got it done,” said Okafor, an NCAA transfer who calls Toronto home.
The 28 points were an OUA career best for Okafor, who put up 26 in a loss to Wilfrid Laurier this past November.
He also grabbed five rebounds and made six steals, the number he was most proud about.
“Only six steals?” he asked, taking a peek at the game sheet, questioningly.
It’s just what coach Ryan Thomson was hoping for from Okafor, who spent two seasons at Harcum College before transferring to Manhattan College in 2019-20 before joining the Thunderwolves officially to start the 2021-22 campaign.
“I think realistically he’s just scratching the surface of what he’s going to be long term. He’s a guy who at the stops he was at prior, he wasn’t asked to do a lot of the things we’re asking of him. Every week, he’s improving, every week he’s getting better. He’s always one of those guys at practice with as smile on his face, ready to go,” Thomson said.
The Wolves looked plenty ready to go on Friday night, jumping out to a 15-7 lead. Thomson decided to lift his starters and see what the bench could do, and by the time Thomas Kennedy hit a buzzer-beating three to end the first, the Lancers (5-8) were up 21-18.
Windsor led by as many as six in the second, but lost the lead for good with 2:05 to play on a bucket by Laoui Msambya. Eric Gonzalez followed with a three-pointer and Lakehead was out in front by seven when Okafor converted a Jared Kreiner steal.
They led by six at the half.
The T-Wolves added five to their lead in the third, then pulled away in the fourth, outscoring Windsor 29-22, powered by a 13-0 run that featured back-to-back dunks by Okafor and Dylan Morrison, who obliterated the Lancers D to close out the run, Lakehead leading 77-54 by that point.
Morrison had 14 points and nine rebounds, to go with four steals of his own.
“The stats only show (Morrison) had two blocks. I think he had more than that. It certainly felt like he changed a lot of shots at the rim. What Dylan did a great job tonight at was just showing his chest and beating guys to spots, rather than relying on that athleticism,” Thomson said.
The win solidifies Lakehead’s chance to host a playoff game, locking them solidly into fourth place at 8-5, a half-game behind third-place Wilfrid Laurier. Windsor is in sixth, at 5-8. The top six teams make the playoffs, with the top two teams getting first-round byes.
Windsor and Lakehead tip-off again on Saturday night at 8 p.m.
