Tigers take down Capers 76-74 in OT

(Halifax, NS) On Friday the Dalhousie Tigers beat the Cape Breton Capers 76-74 in the overtime at the Dalplex.

Cedric Sanogo came out firing scoring 6 of the Tigers first 8 points. Outside of Sanogo, both teams struggled to find their shooting touch in the first quarter as the Tigers shot 22.2% from the field while the Capers shot 25%.

The Capers were up 12-10 after the first quarter.

Alex Petronis hit a corner three putting the Tigers up 24-18. The Tigers shooters found their touch with a 14-4 run to start the second quarter.

Jack MacAulay hit a big three for the Capers cutting the lead down to three but Ritchie Kanza Mata countered with a three of his own extending the lead to 35-29.

At the half the Tigers led 35-32. Kanza Mata was the most effective player on the court in the first half with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Capers came out strong in the third quarter grabbing a lead for the first time since early in the second quarter. The two teams went back and forth as neither team could separate themselves in the frame.

Jarred Reid hit a three ball putting the Tigers up 59-57 in the final minutes of the third quarter. Reid heated up late in the frame hitting five straight buckets. The Tigers took a 61-60 lead into the fourth quarter.

Kashrell Lawrence had a nice offensive board and basket early in the fourth quarter giving the Tigers a 63-62 lead. The Capers answered with five unanswered points regaining the lead.

Kanza Mata had a beautiful drive with just over two minutes remaining knotting things up at 68-68.

With 27 seconds left the Tigers had possession and trailed 72-71. Kanza Mata was sent to the line and hit 1 of 2 free throws tying things up at 72-72. Neither team could make a bucket in the dying seconds sending this one to overtime.

The Tigers edged out the Capers in OT 76-74.

The Tigers (12-5) will travel to Saint Mary's (7-8) on Wednesday, February 17, while the Capers (7-9) will play Huskies tomorrow night.