Box Score For the first time since 2006, the McMaster men's basketball is going to the CIS Final-8 after a heart-stopping 93-89 overtime win over the Windsor Lancers in the OUA bronze medal contest.

It was a shame someone had to lose in the OUA bronze medal game as both the Marauders and Lancers left everything on the floor in a bid to reach the national championship tournament.

The teams  had split their season series with each winning at home, so playing the rubber match on a neutral court at the Mattamy Centre seemed like a good way to settle things.  Through the opening 10 minutes Lien Phillip was the focal point for Windsor, while McMaster spread things out a little more with Leon Alexander, Taylor Black and Aaron Redpath sharing the load.  The game was tied at 20 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, fouls became an issue for the Marauders and behind the combo of Phillip and Rotimi Osuntola, the Lancers opened a 43-36 lead. By the half Windsor had made 9 of 14 free throws, while McMaster didn't get to the charity stripe until the final 30 seconds of the half making one of two, which was a key factor in the Lancers pushing ahead.

The Lancer lead jumped to 10 early in the third, which was the biggest advantage either team enjoyed. Fighting from behind, McMaster got a massive spark from Trevon McNeil who knocked down consecutive three-point bombs to bring the Marauders within a point.  Another trey from Aaron Redpath brought McMaster all the way back as the Maroon went up 56-53 and the battle was on.  Windsor managed to scrap back and after three quarters, the Lancers led 61-60 setting up a terrific final 10 minutes.

The two teams dueled back and forth through the final stanza with Windsor holding a slight edge, but McMaster never letting them get too far ahead.   With 1:17 left Windsor held a 79-76 lead and had the basketball, threatening to make it a two possession game.  The Maroon got the stop they needed and Leon Alexander, who was sensational all day, scored to bring his team within one.  McMaster forced another  Lancer miss and McNeil knocked down his third three of the game to give the Marauders an 81-79 lead with 8.7-seconds remaining. 

Now down by two, Windsor needed a score to force overtime or win, but a long shot from Enrico Diloreto missed.  Lancer Josh Collins snared the rebound and he was fouled with 0.7 seconds on the game clock.  Collins coolly made the two free throws and the teams went to overtime.

The extra period saw McMaster move ahead but Windsor fought back to tie, but some big free throw misses denied them the lead.  Adam Presutti then knocked down a long trey with Lien Phillip in his face to give McMaster an 89-86 lead that it would not relinquish.  Presutti was money in overtime with eight points,  including two treys and two free throws.



"We talked a lot about this weekend being a test of character," said Coach Amos Connolly, on how his team bounced back after the bad loss to Ottawa the night before. "I have to credit Taylor Black, Aaron Redpath, and Adam Presutti who all spoke at different times about where we needed to be for this game and that helped us re-focus."

Top shooter for McMaster was McNeil, who scored 23 and did not look like a freshman.  Leon Alexander scored 21 and made life very difficult for Lien Phillip on defense.  Redpath and Presutti with 18 and 13 respectively also hit double digits and made big shots.  Osuntola scored 23 to lead Windsor.

"It's a really big step for the program," said Connolly.  "It's been awhile since McMaster has been to nationals and this shows we are moving in the right direction.  I credit all the players, but coaches Rod Bynum and Justin Gunter who were here before me have been very steadying influences."

The Marauders will find out where they are seeded and their first round opponent after the CIS conference call Sunday evening to set the seeding and pick the wildcard team.