WINDSOR, Ont. - The Sheridan Bruins men's basketball team (21-7, 10-3 OCAA) picked up a pair of hard-fought victories in tough venues to open the second half of OCAA West play, downing Lambton (79-76) and St. Clair (104-95). 

"We had some moments of sheer defensive brilliance this weekend," head coach Jim Flack said. "However, our offence can become stagnant and ruin the stops we've gotten. That will change this week."

It was a tight battle the whole way against Lambton, with 13 ties, nine lead changes, and neither side extending their advantage to double digits. The Bruins looked to be on the cusp when they clung to a nine-point edge with just over two minutes to play, but an 8-0 Lambton run cut the margin to one. 

On the ensuing possession, Jemol Edwards drilled a clutch 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining to give Sheridan a lead they wouldn't relinquish. 

Nick Campbell poured in a game-high 24 points - the ninth time this season in OCAA play he's scored at least 20 - while Edwards (14) and Kahleek Bakari-Whyte (10 points, 10 rebounds) were also in double figures. 

Against St. Clair, the Double Blue led by as many as 17 but were unable to maintain the offensive momentum they built in a 64-point first half over the final 20. They did tighten up defensively, however, limiting the home side to six points over the final 5:23 to cement the win. 

Four Bruins - Stefan Simpson (22), Bakari-Whyte (18), Edwards (15), Campbell (14), and Keenan Danso-Dapaah (10) - hit double figures, while Tremaine Anderson helped the Bruins win the rebounding battle 41-35 with 11 boards. 

Although he scored less in the second game of the weekend, Flack was effusive in his praise of Campbell's consistent offensive-defensive effort.

"I can't say enough about how he provides a steady, reliable drum beat for this team," he said. "His play is not perfect, but you just know you're going to get something at both ends."

Blue notes: Flack-led teams have now hit the 20-win mark in 25 of his 27 seasons as a collegiate head coach.