Men's Basketball split-squad finishes Canadian trip with 3-1 record after 108-92 loss at Lambton College

By Tim Glon

SARNIA, Ontario — The Ohio Northern men's basketball team wrapped up its its Canadian tour Tuesday night with a 108-92 exhibition loss at Lambton College at the Lambton Gymnasium.

The Polar Bears, playing with two split-squads on the trip, finished their 5-day excursion to Canada with a solid 3-1 record. 

Sophomore Nate Burger led ONU with 16 points, junior Logan Rockhold scored 14 points and freshman Ryan Bruns added 12 points and six rebounds.

"This was a great trip for our young men," ONU head coach Kevin Byrne said. "We played 25 guys in the four games and got some good experience. We did not defend well at all tonight and gave up way too many easy baskets at the rim, but overall I am pleased with how our guys played on the trip." 

Shawn Hill scored 30 points, Branden Padgett scored 29 points and Colton Vaters added 18 points to lead five Lions in double figures in scoring.

Northern led 77-76 entering the fourth quarter, but the hosts out-scored ONU 32-15 in the final 10 minutes to rally for the win.

The Lions got off to a quick 10-2 start, but the Polar Bears came roaring back with a 14-1 run to go ahead 16-11.

ONU ended the first period on an 8-0 run in the final minute to lead 31-19 after the first 10 minutes.

Northern opened the second period on an 11-4 run to extend its lead to 42-23 with 6:38 left in the half.

The Lions went on an 11-0 run at the end of the half to pull within 48-44, but a 3-pointer by Burger gave the Polar Bears a 51-44 lead at intermission.

Lambton went on a 25-5 run to take a 73-65 lead with 2:49 left in the third quarter.

Northern responded with a 12-3 run the rest of the period to lead 77-76 entering the final stanza.

Lambton opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run to go up 84-77 and went on to the win.

Northern made 33-of-73 field goals for 45.2 percent and finished 12-of-29 from 3-point range for 41.4 percent.

LC made 37-of-65 shots for 56.9 percent and were 8-of-22 from 3-point range for 36.4 percent.

The Polar Bears out-rebounded the Lions 45-29.

ONU will play a fifth exhibition game on Nov. 7 at NCAA Division I foe Northern Kentucky before opening its 2015-16 season Nov. 14 at home with Alma (mich.) at 6 pm in a rare double header with the ONU football team, who hosts Otterbein at 1:30 pm that afternoon.