The 2011-2012 Lambton Lions men’s basketball team captured their first win of the season with an 83-69 exhibition victory over the Redeemer University Royals on Saturday afternoon.

 

Victor McGinnis led the Lions with 35 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. McGinnis is the only returning starter from a year ago on a squad filled with eight-rookies.

 

“Victor played an exceptional game. If we are going to be successful we are going to need this type of effort from him,” says coach James Grant. “This is definitely a rebuilding year for the program with a majority of rookie starters and eight new players all together. We hope that we can grow as a team and win the games we are capable of. This win was a good sign that we are moving in the right direction.”

 

Redeemer led at the half by a score of 42-40 as the young Lions had plenty of trouble keeping Redeemer’s veteran forwards off of the glass.

The Lions, who primarily sat in a zone for the first twenty minutes took a more aggressive man-to-man approach to start the third quarter.

 

Anthony Grasso answered immediately with two early layups off of steals to put the Lions back on top at 44-42. They would not surrender the lead the rest of the way.

 

Grasso poured in 13 second half points to go along with a game high eight steals as Lambton stretched to a 76-63 lead early in the fourth quarter. Logan La Riviere finished the

PHOTO: Victor McGinnis goes up for two of his
game-high 35 points

 

game with 13 boards which was a huge performance with starting center Mike Lucier in major foul trouble.

 

The Lions are coached by Grant, Pat Wright and Mike Hobbs.

 

Points: McGinnis (Nashville, TN) 35, Grasso (Sarnia) 14, Matt Koopman (Embro) 13, Lucier (Forest) 10, Zac Lippiatt (Sarnia) 4, Hunter Tippett (Port Colbourne) 4, Xavier Marias (2) Toronto, Dantoine Johnstone (Windsor) 2, John Pilkey (Sarnia) 2.

 

Rebounds: La Riviere (London) 13, Lucier 7, McGinnis 7, Grasso 5, Tippett 5, Pilkey 3, Koopman 3, Matt Helmkay (Welland) 1.

 

Assists: Koopman 5, McGinnis 4, Marias 3, Lippiatt 3, Tippett 3.