Sea-Hawks defeat Huskies 90-73 for series split

HALIFAX, NS – The Memorial Sea-Hawks defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 90-73 on Tuesday afternoon at the Homburg Centre in Halifax.

The three-point shooting of the Sea-Hawks made a difference early, as it would all game long – forward Nicholas Tuff (St. John's, NL) and guards Flynn Boardman-Raffet (London, UK) and Jodick Moudiandambu (Hamilton, ON) each hit a first quarter early three for the Sea-Hawks.

The Huskies were able to respond with some inside baskets against the Sea-Hawks zone defence, including a pair of lay-ups by reserve forward Kenny Ngassoue (Scarborough, ON), but the Sea-Hawks took a 24-19 lead after the first quarter.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Dontae Mitchell with a nice touch pass to Kenny Ngassoue for the easy two. Huskies trail 24-19 after the first quarter.

Watch live: https://t.co/PGdBdZgbKK pic.twitter.com/Y431ih3dwk

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 24, 2023

The Huskies offence opened up in the second quarter with guard Jayrell Diggs (East Preston, NS) connecting for eight points, but Memorial leading scorer Emanuel Ring (St. John's, NL) poured in 11 of his own, including a pair of explosive fast-break dunks, and the Sea-Hawks led 49-42 at the half.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Jayrell Diggs stops on a dime and connects from distance! Huskies trail 32-26 in the second quarter.

Watch live: https://t.co/PGdBdZgbKK pic.twitter.com/PKG75YOiXI

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 24, 2023

Saint Mary's were led in the first half by 12 points from Diggs and 10 points from Dontae Mitchell (Vaughan, ON), while Ring led all scorers with 15. The discrepancy in three-point shooting (Memorial: 5/11, Saint Mary's: 2/14) was a difference maker in the first half.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Dontae Mitchell hits a three as the shot clock expires to cut into the Sea-Hawks lead. Memorial up 49-42 at the half.

Watch live: https://t.co/PGdBdZgbKK pic.twitter.com/utntDp21NV

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 24, 2023

The Huskies were able to claw back to tie the game in the third quarter, thanks to some great play by guards Shae Linton-Brown (Toronto, ON) and Mitchell, but the Sea-Hawks had the answer, with reserve forward Miles Fryett (Calgary, AB) chipping in seven points in the third quarter, and Memorial took a 73-61 lead into the fourth.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Dontae Mitchell with a crafty finish in the lane to tie it up at 55-55. pic.twitter.com/wkNZKncR2h

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 24, 2023

The Huskies offence sputtered in the fourth quarter, as they were only able to muster 12 points, and the Sea-Hawks went on to win the game 90-73.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Topaz Nnani rocks the rim with a two-handed slam! Sea-Hawks lead 73-61 heading into the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/JAmU58Icmq

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 24, 2023

Sea-Hawks big-man Boris Ristanovic (Kragujevac, Serbia) was named Subway Player of the Game with a 16 point, 16 rebound double-double, and adding two blocks and two assists. AUS leading scorer Emanuel Ring scored 22 points including a perfect 10/10 from the free-throw line, while Flynn Boardman-Raffett (14 points, 13 rebounds), Nicholas Tuff (12 points, eight rebounds) and Jodick Moudiandambu (14 points) also scored in double-figures for the Sea-Hawks.

The Huskies were led by guards Dontae Mitchell with 20 points, Shae Linton-Brown with 15, and Jayrell Diggs with 12.

The Sea-Hawks win improved their record to 5-7 on the season. They'll return to St. John's this weekend, hosting the Cape Breton Capers for a pair of four-point games, Saturday at 8 p.m. NST and Sunday at 2 p.m. NST.

The Huskies loss dropped their record to 7-7 on the season. The Huskies will be back on home-court on Saturday night, as the host the St. FX X-Men in a crucial four-point game, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / SMU Huskies Athletics
Photos by Matthew Frenette / SMU Huskies Athletics