BRAMPTON – It wasn't to be.

Things didn't go right from the start and the George Brown men's basketball team, flatter than a pancake, finished the year in disappointment.

The sombre atmosphere in the team dressing room, after an 81-60 loss to Humber College, was similar to watching paint dry.

Vadim Halimov, Canadian College top scorer and OCAA Player of the Year, went 0-for-14 from the floor in the first half, George Brown only had two successful free throws (both by Halimov), the Huskies had a team low 20 points halfway through the game and the rebounding game was non-existent.

"Sure I'm disappointed with the loss," said a dejected head coach Jonathan Smith, his team finishing the year with an overall 16-7 record (1-2 in the playoffs). "We needed to play four quarters with passion and intensity. That didn't happen."

After what was a diplomatic tongue-lashing in the team dressing room at halftime, following a total of six points scored in the second quarter, George Brown appeared to set the stage for a rally.

Down 43-20 at halftime, the Huskies showed some life in the third quarter - and came within nine points of Humber after a three-point basket by Dejazmatch James with 5:29 left in the fourth quarter.

Humber's height got to George Brown while the Huskies lacked the speed they showed in a win over Fanshawe of London and a near upset in OT of Sheridan of Oakville, the defending OCAA champs, in earlier playoff games.

"We came to win and sure it's a disappointment, but we can only get better as players and as a team," said Smith in the post-game speech to the players.

"All the credit in the world for the comeback, but we came up short. We learn about this, use it to fuel yourself for success in the future – in sports, in the classroom and in life. I'm proud of you."

George Brown had a rash of fouls and it showed in the game stats with Humber connecting on 21 of 34 free throws while George Brown was good on only four of eight – and all from Halimov.

Humber out-rebounded George Brown 52-35 and had a 34-7 edge in points off the bench. George Brown was good on points off turnovers (20-6) and three-point buckets (12-10).

Halimov, playing his last College came, finished with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds while James, with 21 points, was the only other George Brown player to score in double digits. - DG