Box Score
The Waterloo men's basketball team won the hearts of school-aged children across the region with a big 79-71 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks on their annual school day game at the Athletic Complex. It was the first win over Laurier since Jan. 16, 2013 when Waterloo topped the Hawks 67-60. 

"After a tough loss to finish last weekend, it was a big game for us and the boys came out ready to play and executed the game plan," said head coach Justin Gunter.  "We played three strong defensive quarters and made the baskets when we needed to."

Waterloo held a 20 point lead after three quarters and despite being outscored 30-18 in the final quarter made the shots they needed to down the stretch to pick up their third win of the season.  Waterloo now sits at 3-9, tied with Western and Algoma for third in the west while Laurier fell to 6-8.    

Nedim Hodzic (Waterloo/Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary) was again on fire for the Warriors, tallying a game high 28 points, giving him 73 points in his last three games.  Hodzic also collected nine rebounds and had two steals in the victory.

This @Hardy_JustinM free throw puts a stop to a @WLUAthletics 7-0 run. Warriors up 63-50 with 6:30 remaining. #goblackgogold pic.twitter.com/0i7O9rjcKh

— Waterloo Warriors (@WlooWarriors) January 18, 2017

Justin Hardy (Waterloo/Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary) and Jon Ravenhorst (Sarnia/Sarnia Northern) were also big on the attack, each with 12 points while Hardy was a game changer on defence with four steals.  Simon Petrov (Waterloo/Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary) and David Ramon Prados (Madrid/Virgen de Atocha (North Platte College)) rounded out the attack with nine each.  On the boards, Mike Pereira (Kitchener/Resurrection Secondary) was a beast with 12 total rebounds, including six in the opening quarter.

Nice take by @jonravenhorst to put the Warriors up 54-33! ??????@WLUAthletics @OUAsport #goblackgogold #schooldaygame pic.twitter.com/nKXQzkLahl

— Waterloo Warriors (@WlooWarriors) January 18, 2017

For the Hawks, it was rookie point guard Tevaunk Kokko doing most of the damage, equaling Hodzic's point total of 28, 16 of which came in the final quarter.  Forward Matt Chesson was also in double digits with 15 points.

As a team Waterloo shot 40.5% from the field compared to 28.8% for Laurier.  Waterloo also had a good day at the free throw line going 15-for-18.
 

Warriors Win!!! Big dub for @JGunner22 & his squad! @OUAsport @USportsCA #schooldaygame #goblackgogold ??????79-71 Final! pic.twitter.com/1S5PkDfPmU

— Waterloo Warriors (@WlooWarriors) January 18, 2017

The Warriors will now prepare for their Saturday match against the visiting Ryerson Rams.  Tipoff is set for 3pm at the PAC.