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BATCHELOR OF THE DURHAM LORDS BECOMES THE OCAA ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER
Oshawa (OCAA) – The countdown to history is over! Anthony Batchelor of the Durham Lords men’s basketball team etched his name in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) record book on Friday night as he amassed 1,435 career points, becoming the most prolific scorer in the league’s forty year history. The Lords (6-9, 13-12 overall) walked away with a 100-48 win over the La Cite Coyotes (1-14) on the record setting night.
Coming into the game, Batchelor (Markham, ON) was just 28 points shy of breaking the all-time record, held by Emilio Rocca of Fanshawe College which was set back in 1986 (1,434 career points).
After scoring 13 first half points, Batchelor went on a hot streak to open up the second half, edging his way closer to the all-time mark. Three points shy of the record, the fourth year veteran went up for a three pointer with 10:56 left on the clock. The shot rimmed out but a La Cite player had committed a foul on the play, putting Batchelor at the charity stripe for three shots.
Netting the first two shots (tying the all-time record), the hometown crowd went into a frenzy with anticipation of being a part of history. As he has done throughout his entire collegiate career with Durham, Batchelor casually stepped to the line and drained the free throw, setting the all-time record.
The game was paused for a brief celebration as his team-mates gathered around Batchelor while Durham College Athletic Director, Ken Babcock, congratulated him for achieving such a significant milestone in OCAA and Durham College history. The moment was extra special for Batchelor as his parents were in attendance, traveling all of the way from Seattle, Washington for the special occasion.
“It was an outstanding night for an outstanding player,” commented Babcock after the game. “Over the course of his four year career at Durham College, Anthony has proved to be a special player on and off the court. It was great that his family could be in attendance tonight to help celebrate such a significant moment in OCAA and Durham College history.”
Batchelor rested for the remainder of the game as he watched the Lords cruise to the 100-48 victory. Durham is now 6-9 on the season, just a half game back out of a playoff position in the East Region with five games remaining in the regular season.
“It was a big win on a big night,” remarked Durham Head Coach Peter Gordon. “Anthony has grown throughout his four years with the team, really maturing as a player as well as a person. He has grown into a strong leader for the team.”
Batchelor noted to reporters after the game that he was getting nervous as he closed in on the record, but he got some helpful advice from Gordon; “Coach told me to settle down and said that if I played my game, everything will fall into place.”
It was fitting that the record was set during tonight’s game, as it was men’s basketball alumni night on Campus. Former Durham Lords basketball players who paved the way for Batchelor participated in an Alumni game prior to the 8:00 pm tip-off. The game also marked the Lords first regular season home game played in the new portion of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.
Once again, La Cite will go down in the record books for another record setting performance on Batchelor’s Durham College resume. Last season, Batchelor scored a college record 58 points against the Coyotes.
The Lords now begin the Countdown to the Playoffs as they sit a half game out of a playoff position with five games remaining in the regular season (three of which are against non-playoff opponents). The team will travel to Ottawa on Sunday for a rematch against La Cite and will then face Algonquin on Monday night.
The Lords final home game of the season will take place on Friday, February 15, 2008 as they take on the Loyalist Lancers (9-6). A ceremony will take place prior to the 8:00 pm tip-off, in celebration of Batchelor’s achievement of setting all-time scoring record. Former record holder Emilio Rocca of Fanshawe College will also be honoured prior to the game.
GAME SUMMARY
Final Score
Durham 100
La Cite 48
Half-Time Score
Durham 59
La Cite 22
Durham Leading Scorers
Anthony Batchelor – 28 points
Courtney Small – 21 points
La Cite Leading Scorer
Louis-Philippe Gauthier – 20 pts
LORDS AT A GLANCE
Conference Record: 6-9
Overall Record: 13-12
Next Home Game:
Friday, February 15, 2008
vs. Loyalist College (8:00 pm)
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre
Oshawa, ON
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca
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