The Waterloo Warriors played the Guelph Gryphons this past Saturday at the PAC, fighting a hard game, but ultimately lost 77–87 on home turf. After a loss versus the offensively skilled McMaster, the Warriors were looking for a win.
Waterloo led the game 9–8 at three minutes into the first quarter, only to struggle thereafter. Wayne Bridge, who scored a game-high 22 points, led the team against the Gryphons, but the score was only tied three times. When tied in the first period at 11, Guelph was quick to score, but the Warriors came back in the same period, tying the score again at 22 with 37 seconds left. But with six seconds left in the quarter, Michel Clark of the Gryphons scored for 25–22 against Waterloo, foreshadowing the rest of the game.
The second quarter started with improvement; a three-pointer by Bridge to tie the game again. The Warriors were unable to keep their advantage, with Guelph scoring the next nine points. Waterloo caught up somewhat, closing the gap to four, but after two quick three-pointers the Gryphons ended the second quarter with a nine point lead at 46–37. The third and fourth quarters had the Warriors trailing for the rest of the game.
Although Bridge scored 22 points and Warrior Mike Helsby scored 20 points, the Gryphons had six players with double-digit scores and a hard lock on rebounds, 37 to the Warriors’ 24. When questioned in an interview about the rebound dilemma, Coach Greg Francis said the team was trying different things, as well as rotating more players in to keep the energy high.
Waterloo did have more steals in the game, but with a field goal percentage of 43.3 per cent they proved irrelevant. Francis said that to increase the team’s percentage the Warriors must work unselfishly. According to Francis, the team plays better offensively because they are an unselfish team, but in this game against Guelph, the Warriors took a step backwards.
When the game was over, the team was frustrated. Coach Francis is eager to make playoffs as the season winds up. This loss has dropped Waterloo to last place at 2–12, tied with Brock.
