THUNDER BAY – The Lakehead Thunderwolves are undefeated in 2024.
Powered by Chris Sagl’s 25-point performance and a dominant third quarter, the T-Wolves turned a one-point halftime lead over the Nipissing Lakers into a 94-81 triumph, giving LU its second straight win coming out of the Christmas break.
The win also pulled Lakehead within a win of a potential playoff berth, the top 12 teams making the OUA men’s basketball postseason, a possibility that didn’t look to promising after the first semester came to a close, the T-Wolves owning just two wins in 10 appearances.
Adding to Sagl’s effort was a 24-point night from Harold Santacruz, who stepped up at the charity stripe, making 12 of 13 free-throw attempts.
Nathan Bilamu, with 13, and Josh Strongman, with 11 off the bench, also hit double dights for Lakehead (4-8).
Marcus Moore came off the bench and put up 22 for the Lakers (3-9), while starter Darnaz Mabanza scored 20.
Lakehead travels to Guelph (4-8) and Algoma (1-9) next weekend and won’t return to the Thunderdome until Jan. 26, when the No. 13 Brock Badgers arrive in town for the first of two meetings in two nights.
