ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — Zubair Sayed put on a scoring clinic as the Ridgebacks punched their ticket to the OUA quarterfinals with a 52-44 win over the Brock Badgers.

Sayed led all scorers with 26 points, knocking down three three-pointers and converting seven of 10 free throws in a full 40-minute effort. Ayub Nurhussien added nine points and six rebounds for Ontario Tech (11-12), while Raeshaun Ambris grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

The Ridgebacks started strong, taking a narrow 10-8 lead after the first quarter. Brock answered in the second, tying the game at 23-23 by halftime. The Badgers surged ahead in the third with an 18-point frame before Ontario Tech fought back in the fourth, closing the gap to eight, but couldn't complete the comeback.

The Ridgebacks will now move onto the quarterfinals where they'll take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves.