On Jan. 24, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks secured a decisive 72-51 win over the University of Waterloo Warriors in the highly anticipated Battle of Waterloo.
The rivalry game, played in front of a home crowd, demonstrated Laurier’s dominance in both offense and defense and solidifying their position as a team to watch this season. Laurier started strong, opening the game with a three-pointer and establishing a commanding 18-14 lead by the end of the first quarter.
By half time, the Golden Hawks extended their advantage to 34-24, maintaining a comfortable margin.
Laurier’s scoring breakdown—18 points in the first quarter, 16 in the second, 23 in the third and 15 in the fourth—showcased their consistent offensive output and control throughout the game.
On the defensive end, the Golden Hawks were relentless. Laurier forced Waterloo into turnovers and disrupted their rhythm with an effective full-court press.
As fourth-year arts student and guard Ethan Passley emphasized in a post-game interview, “We pride ourselves on defense 100 per cent, in and out. Every guy knows our role and position, and it’s just a hunger thing.”
This defensive intensity held the Warriors to just 51 points on 37 per cent shooting, while Laurier’s stifling coverage forced the Warriors to struggle with offensive execution. Offensively, Laurier’s dynamic duo of Ethan Passley and Taye Donald, a fourth year arts student and guard, led the charge. Passley’s mid-range shooting and playmaking was instrumental to securing this win, while Donald contributed well with strong perimeter play and picking up his scoring in the second half.
Their chemistry was evident throughout the game.
“It’s been a thing ever since [Donald] came into the school with me. We’ve been growing together as teammates and brothers on and off the court. I know what he wants, and I know what I want, so we just work well together,” Passley said.
Waterloo’s efforts were led by Isaiah McRae, who fought hard to keep the game competitive, and Cristian Craciun, who made key defensive plays.
Despite their contributions, the Warriors struggled to match Laurier’s intensity. Head Coach Cavell Johnson praised his team’s performance but highlighted a need to address occasional lapses, particularly at the start of the third quarter.
“We have a trend sometimes of starting third quarters with low intensity,” he said, referencing the five empty possessions Laurier had after halftime.
However, the team quickly regained its focus, thanks in part to strong contributions from the bench. Laurier’s depth played a crucial role in their success.
Players like second-year psychology student Jalen Levine and Omar Nur, a first year communications studies student made impactful appearances — providing energy and maintaining pressure on both ends of the floor.
“Everybody has a role on the team. Even if they’re not on the court, they’re talking to our teammates, letting us know where we must be on defense and offense,” said Passley on the importance of Levine and Nur to the game.
This victory carried extra significance for the Golden Hawks.
“It has always been a competition between the two schools, so I felt like it was a pride thing,” Passley said.
The win not only boosted their record but also strengthened their confidence and unity heading into the remainder of the 2024-25 season. With their defensive tenacity, offensive versatility and strong team cohesion the Golden Hawks are positioned as a formidable contender for a playoff spot.
This Battle of Waterloo victory hints towards their potential to make a deep postseason run.
Photo by Birnavan Varnacumaaran
