OTTAWA, Ont. – The Ontario Tech men's basketball team came out strong but couldn't keep up with the Ottawa Gee-Gees in an 88-70 loss Saturday at Montpetit Hall.

Caleb Kassa led the Ridgebacks with 18 points, shooting an efficient 8-for-10 from the field. Zubair Seyed and Azad Chahak each added 13 points, with Chahak hitting three triples. Emmanuel Okonkwo controlled the boards with 10 rebounds while adding 10 points.

Ontario Tech started hot, leading by as much as 11 in the first quarter before Ottawa took control with a dominant second frame. The Gee-Gees outscored the Ridgebacks 27-14 in the second and never looked back, holding off any comeback attempts in the second half

The Ridgebacks will head out on the annual northern road trip next weekend, with stops at Laurentian and Nipissing, before returning home for the final two games of the season, starting February 14 against the Ottawa Gee-Gees.