Tigers defeat Capers 73-70

Source: Cape Breton Athletics

Sydney, NS - It came down right to the very last shot, but in the end, it was the Dalhousie Tigers (10-4) winning a nail-bitter against the Cape Breton University Capers (0-14) 73-70 Saturday evening in Atlantic University Sport men's basketball action at the Sullivan Field House.

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, led by Ritchie Kanza Mata (Toronto, ON), who scored nine of his season-high 32 points in the first quarter of the game. The Capers were able to end the quarter on a run finished with a three from Christian Affolter (Bern, Switz) to put the Capers deficit only 19-16 after one. 

In the second, the teams shared the lead multiple times, but again, it was the Tigers who kept the lead heading into halftime, with the score being 37-31. 

After the break, the Capers found themselves down by as many as nine points, but Kyle Hankins (Burlington, ON) got a basket and got fouled on the play. He converted the free throw to help bring Cape Breton to within five going into the final frame. 

The Capers managed to keep the game close down the stretch, then a steal by Kenny Jean-Louis (Montreal, QC) led to a big dunk in transition by Seth Amoah (Montreal, QC) to make it a one-point game with 1:38 remaining in the game. Sven Stammberger (Halifax, NS) hit a clutch corner three, then in their next offensive possession, he nailed a jumper, which put the Tigers up three.

Jack MacAulay (Charlottetown, PEI) missed a three pointer in the final seconds that would have likely sent the game into overtime. 

For the Capers, Kenny Jean-Louis had a solid game, tallying 15 points, with seven rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Seth Amoah got 12 points off the bench, along with six rebounds, seven assists and a steal. 

Ritchie Kanza Mata was dominate for the Tigers, scoring 32 points on 11/22 shooting. Jarred Reid (Aurora, ON) also had a nice game with 12 points and adding 10 rebounds, giving him a double-double.

Dalhousie will be back in action Feb. 3rd when they play host to the Memorial Seahawks. 

The Capers will also be playing Feb. 3rd, when they play on the road against Acadia. 

Both games are set to start at 8 p.m.