ETOBICOKE, Ont. - Durham's season came to a heartbreaking end in Saturday's quarter-final, falling 84-83 to the Humber Hawks in a game that lived up to the hype.
The matchup was a rematch of last season's OCAA and CCAA championships, adding another layer to an already heated battle between the two programs. Once again, it came down to the wire.
Durham found itself trailing 18-12 after a slow start in the first quarter, but settled in during the second and kept things within reach, heading into halftime down 36-33.
Humber pushed the lead to double digits in the third and built its largest advantage of the game midway through the quarter, but the Lords refused to let it slip away. That push carried into a dramatic fourth quarter.
Durham shot 65.0% in the final 10 minutes and erased the 16-point deficit, eventually building a five-point lead with just under three minutes to play.
From there, it turned into a true back-and-forth finish. The lead changed hands multiple times and neither side could create separation.
Romell Russell buried a clutch three in the final seconds to bring the Lords within one. After two made free throws from the Hawks, Durham had one last opportunity.
Rudy Fakih finished at the rim with less than a second remaining, but the Lords were unable to find the extra point they needed, closing their season with a one-point loss.
Rashane Smith led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, attacking the paint all afternoon.
Jasean Elliott added 17 points and nine boards, while Caleb Carter provided 11 points off the bench, knocking down two triples in key moments.
Desson Spencer chipped in eight points and four rebounds, and Fakih delivered nine points and four assists in an efficient outing.
As a team, Durham shot 47.0% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc, outrebounding Humber 33-28. The difference ultimately came at the free throw line, where Humber capitalized on its opportunities.
It was a fittingly tight chapter in a rivalry that has defined the past two seasons.
Stay in the know regarding Durham College Athletics and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
