The Cinderella run for a medal ended for the St. Lawrence Vikings Sunday afternoon, as they dropped a 66-51 decision to the Durham Lords in the bronze-medal match at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association men’s basketball championship tournament in Oshawa.

“It was clear that we ran out of gas,” said Vikings coach Barry Smith, whose team was playing its second game of the day. “Reality set in for us in the fourth (quarter). It’s still disappointing to lose the bronze when we had a chance, but (assistant coach) Kevin and I are so proud of their effort, this weekend and for the season.”

Playing on their home court, the Lords scored the first eight points of the game and they never lost the lead. The East division’s regular-season champion, Durham led 30-20 at halftime.  

The Vikings opened the second half with a 9-2 run but that proved to be St. Lawrence’s last gasp. Durham recovered and restored its lead to 14 points by the time the fourth quarter arrived.

Jaz Bains, who was named to the tournament all-star team, had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Vikings, who got 15 points and 10 rebounds from Donald Gibson. Aaron Hayles scored 17 points for Durham.

The fourth-place finish was the best for St. Lawrence since 2011, when the Vikings were provincial bronze medalists. All eight of the players who finished the campaign are eligible to return to the team next year.