(HALIFAX, N.S.) The CIS No. 10-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies battled back for a 92-74 Atlantic University Sport men's basketball win Saturday night over the visiting Cape Breton Capers.
In a game that saw five ties and 13 different lead changes, both teams had quick runs in the first 10 minutes which saw Cape Breton take a 19-15 advantage over Saint Mary's.
The second quarter saw the Capers extend their lead with an 11-0 run before the Huskies' Marquis Clayton hit a three-pointer to end the Capers run at 35-23.
Clayton's three-pointer, assisted by Jeremy McAvoy, ignited a 12-0 run before CBU's Seth Amoah hit two foul shots for a 35-37 Capers lead with 1:03 left in the opening half. Saint Mary's went into teh half down 42-35.
It took the first three minutes and 53 seconds of the third quarter for Saint Mary's to erase the Cape Breton lead as 6-foot-6 Huskies guard Theon Reefer dunked for a 51-49 Huskies cushion.
Saint Mary's would outscore CBU 34-19 in the frame as Boyd Vassell drained a late three for a 69-61 lead after 30 minutes of action.
The Huskies lead grew to 23 points before Cape Breton scored a few late buckets for the 92-74 final. Saint Mary's improves to 5-1 and is tied with UNB for first place in the AUS standings.
With the loss, Cape Breton falls to 3-3 on the season. Cedric Kasongo had 14 points while Arild Geugies added 11 points in the loss.
Saint Mary's Marquis Clayton led all scorers with 23 points while Brian Rouse added 16 points. Boyd Vassell had 16 points off the bench in 13 minutes of play. Theon Reefer and Riley Halpin each had 10 points while Terrence Taylor added seven points. Jeremy McAvoy had six points and Harry Ezenibe chipped in four points and seven rebounds.
The Huskies shot 45.7 per cent from the field while the Capers shot 39 per cent.
Rebounds were even at 42-42 although Saint Mary's scored 20 more points in the paint 42-22 compared to the Cape Breton. Points off turnovers were in favour of the Huskies 34-15.
Saint Mary's visits the Dalhousie Tigers Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., while the Capers' next action will come when they host the UPEI Panthers Friday, Nov. 29, also at 8 p.m.
Both contests can be seen live at www.AUStv.ca.
Source: Saint Mary's Sports Information