Dal tops SMU 88-83 with strong shooting performance

(Halifax, N.S.) – The Dalhousie Tigers utilized a strong shooting performance to top their cross-town rival Saint Mary's Huskies 88-83 on Friday night at the Dalplex.

The hosts went 27-of-54 from the field, and shot over 50 percent in each of the first three quarters in the win.

Forward Kashrell Lawrence (Brampton, ON) led the way with 23 points for the Tigers, while guard Theon Reefer (Toronto, ON) paced the Huskies with 19 points.

Both teams came out hot in the first quarter shooting about 50 percent each.

Reefer and Dalhousie guard Ritchie Kanza Mata (Toronto, ON) led the charge offensively – shooting a combined 7-for-7 from the perimeter, while putting up 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Eleven different players scored in the first quarter as a whole, however it was the Tigers who took a five-point lead after the opening 10 minutes.

The second quarter was much of the same, as the cross-town rivals both shot over 50 percent once more. Perimeter play continued to be a factor, with the Tigers netting four more treys compared to two for the Huskies.

Forward Sven Stammberger (Halifax, N.S.) was the catalyst from the land beyond for Dalhousie, going 3-for-4. He finished with 11 points in the quarter overall, as the hosts went into the break up 54-40.

The Tigers continued to shoot the lights out in the third quarter, going 61.5 percent from the field, while increasing their lead to 19 heading into the fourth quarter. They got contributions all across the board, notably from guard Matt McVeigh (Tantallon, NS) who chipped in eight points off the bench.

The Huskies were the aggressors on the boards, outrebounding Dalhousie 27-18 after three – 13 of which came from forward Achuil Lual (Ottawa, ON) – but were unable to keep pace offensively, shooting just 37.5 percent from the field in the quarter.

Saint Mary's stepped up on both ends in the fourth quarter. They went on an 11-0 run in the opening four minutes of play, and allowed just 11 total points overall.

Lual continued to play strong in the paint, while guard Tristan Arthurs (Vancouver, BC) came off the bench to record 10 points, however the deficit was simply too much to overcome, as the Tigers finished the game off at the free throw line to preserve a five-point victory.

With the win, Dalhousie advanced to 14-4, while the Huskies fell to 11-7.

The Tigers are back in action tomorrow, hosting the Acadia Axemen, while Saint Mary's next matchup will take place this Friday on the road against Cape Breton.