(HALIFAX, N.S.) Falling two spots in the CIS weekly poll, the No. 10-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies found themselves down 12 points after 10 minutes and used a 31-point outburst in the third quarter to claim a 90-82 win over the Cape Breton Capers in Atlantic University Sport men's basketball action Friday night.
Cape Breton used the hot hand and shot four-for-six from three-point land in the first quarter and used a 16-1 run to build a 12-24 lead. Saint Mary's battled back in the second frame and were down four points at halftime, 37-41.
Huskies guard Brian Rouse drained a three pointer in the third quarter to make it 42-43. The Capers then nailed a three pointer of their own for the 42-46 lead. Rouse scored the next four points including an impressive dunk to tie the game at 46-46.
On the next possession, fifth-year power forward Harry Ezenibe scored in the paint and gave Saint Mary's the lead 48-46. Huskies guard Marquis Clayton's bucket extended the lead but another Capers three pointer brought the Saint Mary's lead back to 50-49.
The Huskies followed up with an 8-0 run capped off with an alley-oop by Theon Reefer for a 60-51 lead. The third quarter ended with both teams trading buckets and Saint Mary's was up by 10 points, 68-58. The Huskies shot 70 per cent from the field in the third quarter.
Fourth quarter action saw both teams make runs as Cape Breton scored two more points overall in the frame. Reefer added another dunk for a 78-62 lead when the Capers called a time-out with 7:26 left to play.
At the five minute mark, it was Saint Mary's up 82-69 when Cape Breton went on a 9-0 run and saw the Huskies' lead shrink to four points, 82-78. Saint Mary's finished the fourth quarter outscoring Cape Breton 8-4 for the 90-82 final.
Cedric Kasongo led the Capers with 28 points and Seth Amoah had 17 points off the bench. The Capers fall to 3-2 in conference play.
Saint Mary's guard Marquis Clayton had 30 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and three steals in the win. For his performance, Clayton was named the Subway Player of the Game.
Also scoring for the Huskies were Brian Rouse who had 18 points, six rebounds, and five steals. Terrence Taylor had 14 points and eight rebounds while Theon Reefer added 13 points and seven boards. Harry Ezenibe chipped in 10 points and collected nine rebounds.
The Huskies' record sits at 4-1. They are currently in a three-way tie for first place with UNB and Acadia. Saint Mary's returns to action Saturday evening when they host Cape Breton at 6 p.m.
Source: Saint Mary's Sports Information