The Fanshawe Falcon men's basketball team dropped a close contest to the Mohawk Mountaineers by a final score of 82-77. Despite leading the majority of the game, the Falcons let their lead slip away — which was as great as 11 points at one point in the second half.

Head coach Glen Johnston said the team did not play to their potential but blamed officiating on the final outcome.

“We made a lot of mistakes, and the officials killed us,” said Johnston. “They had a run where virtually every call was going their way; shit, some of them were nonsense, just nonsense.”

The Falcons battled turnovers and lack of defence in the first half, which led to many second chance opportunities for the Mountaineers, resulting in a 38-36 halftime lead.

In the second half Fanshawe climbed to an 11-point lead at one point, only to see it vanish to the hot-shooting Mountaineers. Mohawk turned the game around, and capitalized on countless mistakes made by the short-handed Falcon squad.

Starting point guard Omar Sybbliss was lost over the weekend when he fractured his orbital bone in three places after receiving an elbow to the eye area.

Johnston said improvements had to be made, but he reiterated that the officiating was very suspect.

“We have to quit making stupid mistakes,” said Johnston.

“It seemed like every time they drove to the basket, there was a foul and when we drove there was never a foul. I don't believe they are that clean, and I don't believe we're that dirty.”

Leading all scorers was Mohawks Panyin Kyei, who had 20 points, including three out of four from three-point range.

Standing out for the Falcons was Pat Wright whose energy led to a double-double 18 points, and 14 rebounds. Pat Sewell led the Falcons in scoring with 19, and Adrian Pytka added a double-double as well with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The Falcons will battle the Sault Cougars on October 28, and the Algoma Thunderbirds the following afternoon.