Job Janda guards an MRU player on Friday (MRU Athletics photo).
Job Janda guards an MRU player on Friday (MRU Athletics photo).
November 15, 2025

Griffins didn't have an answer for Cougars in 24-point road loss

Box Score

MacEwan Athletics

CALGARY – Not much went their way as the Griffins men's basketball team fell behind early and were never able to get close enough to challenge the Mount Royal Cougars on Friday night.

Down 22-9 after the first quarter and 40-20 at the half, they eventually lost 84-60.

"We got punched and we didn't have much of a response," said Griffins head coach David Kapinga. "We've got a lot of work to do before tomorrow."

They have been punched before this season and did have a response, such as when they beat nationally-ranked Winnipeg last month. 

But as to why they just didn't have it on Friday, Kapinga could only speculate.

"That's a good question," he said. "I think maybe we got caught in expectations where 'we're not expected to win so that's going to be the result.' "

With the loss, the Griffins drop back to 2-5 on the season, while MRU improves to 4-3.

Marcus ISO Moore led MacEwan with 12 points, while Favour Igbinyemi dropped 11. Nathanael Ntumba led the way with nine rebounds.

MRU was fronted by Sam Barnie, who scored 28 points, while Jacob McLellan chipped in 10 and Daniel Owoeye had 13 rebounds.

Kapinga singled out a couple key bench performers as making a positive impact on the night.

"I thought our rookies Ben (Pearson) and Khushal (Shukla) came in and gave us some good play from the bench," he said of both scoring six points. "That was great to see."

The Griffins will get a chance at redemption in Saturday's rematch (7 p.m., Canada West TV).