Game recap by: Kirk Jessome
(Halifax, NS) – In Sunday afternoon basketball action, the Dalhousie Tigers took on the UPEI Panthers in an important 4-point game. The Tigers heavily outrebounded the Panthers and capitalized on second-chance points to give them a 98-61 win.
The battle of the glass was the story early, with Sascha Kappos (Miami, FL) opening the game well with a big offensive rebound and finished through contact for the three-point play.
The Tigers continued to control the offensive glass early, and a deep three from Alex Carson (Lower Sackville, NS) opened up a 12 point lead just four minutes in.
On the other end, the midrange shooting was cold for the Panthers through much of the opening quarter, till Milorad Sedlarevic (Jesenice, SLV) was able to knock down a three to get his team going.
The Panthers were only able to put up 10 points in the frame however, as the Tigers jumped ahead 24-10 going into the second quarter.
The second quarter turned into a three-point shootout, both teams shooting the three-ball at an incredible rate.
Xavier Ochu (Milton, ON) got the Tigers started on the run, with Carson adding two more in the quarter.
For the Panthers, Sedlarevic answered the Tigers shooting early, and Jack MacAulay (Charlottetown, PEI) knocked down three in the second quarter alone.
The Tigers were able to hold a slight edge in the high scoring quarter, and took a 51-35 lead into the half-time break.
Amin Suleman (Toronto, ON) opened up the second half getting fouled on a three-point attempt that rattled out, but was able to step up to the line and knock down all three from the stripe for the Panthers.
Turnovers piled up for the Panthers after that play however, and the Tigers were able to capitalize by pushing the ball in transition and getting to the rim. The faster pace of play suited the Tigers offence, not having to force up deep shots, it opened up space for Kappos to get looks in the paint and lanes for the Tigers guards to earn trips to the line.
The lead grew continued to grow for the Tigers in the third quarter with the Panthers shooting under 30% from the field, and they took a 76-45 lead into the fourth.
With the lead out of reach, the pace of the game slowed down as both teams began to work through half-court sets.
The Panthers continued to fire shots from deep, but were unable to make up the difference as the Tigers came away with the 98-61 win.
Amin Suleman led the Panthers in scoring, knocking down three shots from deep to finish with 14 points. Alex Carson was the top scorer for the Tigers, with 22 points on 7-7 shooting from the free-throw line, while Keevan Veinot (Port Williams, NS) earned himself a triple-double with 11 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers will close out their season next weekend at home with a pair of games against UNB, while the Panthers will host Acadia for a double-header.