OSHAWA, ON - An 82-76 loss in the qualifying round against the Lambton Lions means a top five nationally ranked Durham Lords team miss out on the 2023 OCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

Things were slow from the start for the Lords as Lambton leaped to a 6-0 run in the first 1:26. The early momentum helped to give the Lions a 22-13 lead after the first quarter.

Durham came out in the second quarter looking like a different team, outscoring the Lions 20-11 in the second quarter to send the teams into halftime tied. Angelo Sarsonas (Scarborough, ON) was a big part in this turnaround, shooting 4-for-4 in the second quarter, including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.

Oshane Taylor-Douglas (Scarborough, ON) made his return from injury, scoring his first bucket 55 seconds into the second quarter with a three-point shot.

The third quarter was very back and forth, both teams scoring 24 points to keep the game tied heading into the fourth. Lambton were able to score with essentially anybody in the quarter, with seven players hitting buckets.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the score was 57-57.

Lambton recored a game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, properly taking advantage of opportunities from the free throw line shooting 9-for-10. The Lords were able to stay in the game but 19 points of their own wasn't enough and the Lions came away from the game with the win.

Kanskie Simon (Pickering, ON) posted a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Desson Spencer (Scarborough, ON) came one missed free throw short of a double-double, ending the game with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Sarsonas finished the night with 21 points, five assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal.