Huskies finish third with 76-64 win over Timberwolves

Game recap by: Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – In the game for third place at the Shoveller Memorial Invitational Basketball Tournament, the Saint Mary's Huskies squared off against the UNBC Timberwolves. After the game being tied up at half, a big third quarter run pushed the Huskies ahead, and they held on to take the 76-64 victory.

It was a fast paced start to this one with both teams shooting well. The Timberwolves knocked down their first four shots from beyond the arc, with Marcus Mackay (Terrace, BC) picking up two of them.

The Huskies elected to move to a pick-and-roll style of attack with Osman Barrie (Ottawa, ON) finishing two quick buckets.

When the inside game wasn't working they found the hot hand to hit jump shots, which was Nico Brauner (Wiesbaden, Germany) who knocked down three jumpers early.

Down two in the final seconds of the quarter, Jovan Leamy (Toronto, ON) caught a pass on the wing and nailed the shot from deep to put the Timberwolves up 20-19 heading into the second.

The shooting touch cooled down on both sides to start the second, but the Timberwolves seemed determined to live or die by the three with nearly half of their FG's coming from beyond the arc.

Tristan Hyde (Bedford, NS) stepped up off the bench for the Huskies to work down low to pick up the scoring as well as getting it done on the boards.

Both teams picked up timely scoring in the final two minutes of the half, and went into the break all tied up at 34-34.

Neither team was able to gain an edge in the first five minutes of the second half with both teams shooting well.

Marcus Mackay continued to shoot well from deep for the Timberwolves, hitting back-to-back threes, and then getting fouled on a third before knocking down all three free-throws.

The Huskies spread their offense around, primarily coming from quick pull-up jumpers from midrange.

Andre Nvitubmura (Ottawa, ON) stepped out and hit back-to-back shots from long range after two defensive stops for the Huskies to end the third quarter and give them a 58-49 lead heading into the fourth.

The teams traded baskets for most of the fourth quarter, both sides getting into the paint at a high rate to get to the line. The Huskies were getting more of these opportunities, however, generated by their strong offensive rebounding performance.

With three minutes to go, the Huskies lead opened up to 12.

A short run late in the game by the Timberwolves was stopped when Brent Martindale (Kingston, ON) dropped a dagger three to put the game out of reach as the Huskies took the win 76-64.

Marcus Mackay was named the player of the game, as well as the tournament all-star for the Timberwolves as his team finished fourth. He finished with 15 points in this one, going 4-7 from long range.

Kordeiro James (Woodbridge, ON) was named the player of the game for the Huskies with nine points and seven rebounds. Kemar Aleyne was named their tournament all-star, collecting 12 points and three rebounds to help his team finish third.