Mounties remain in first place with win over Chargers – Host arch-rival, StU Tommies, this Sunday
The Mount Allison men’s basketball Mounties needed a 16-2 run in the last 5 minutes to earn their ninth ACAA victory of the season, in a come from behind win, 81-73, over the hometown Crandall Chargers this past Sunday. With thewin, the men’s basketball Mounties, now 9-3, are in a three-way first place tie with the HC Hurricanes and StU Tommies, and further improved their CCAA national ranking to 12th place.
At Crandall University, against the Chargers, the Mounties got out of the gate with an early 17-4 lead and continued to lead first quarter, 23-13. The remaining two quarters were all Chargers outscoring the Mounties, 46-31, and the home team Chargers led the Garnet and Gold, 59-54, heading into the game’s final ten minutes.
It looked like the Chargers would gain their first victory of the season over the Mounties, being up six points with only five minutes remaining and then several key baskets were made by the along with many defensive stops that sparked the Mounties to a 16-2 run to emerge victorious with the men’s basketball Mounties third-straight win over the Crandall Chargers this season. The Mounties managed to shoot 39% from the field and 23.1% from the three-point range and they had a balanced scoring attack, with five players in double figures.
Aram Currie with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Noah McCarthy, Sam Pierson and Emmanuel Octavious added 14 apiece followed by Brett Curtis; contributing 10 points.
The Chargers, who only managed to shoot 28% in the game, were led by Rikson Barua with 17 points and Dan Maxwell with 16.
Next up for the basketball Mounties is one of three remaining home games, set to take place Sunday, February 9th, hosting the StU Tommies at Mount Allison's MacCormack Gymnasium. The Garnet and Gold will be looking to avenge an 82-70 loss to the Tommies, from the first game of the ACAA season.
The upcoming game Sunday will also provide recognition to graduating-senior Mounties just before tip-off.
The Mount Allison Mounties' fifth-year forward, Trevor Schulz of Richmond, BC, will be recognized for his contribution to the basketball Mounties the past two years. After an injury filled 2018-19 season, Schulz is co- captain this year and emerged as a key component to the Mounties success this season (2019-20).
According to Coach Chapman, “Trevor has really played an important role on our team this year, especially since the holiday break; which is the reason we asked him to join our program last year. Trevor is not only an experienced player who is in a leadership role but he is the ultimate team player and respected by his teammates and coaches. Trevor understands his role, has a high basketball IQ, is very good around the basket and is a very good rebounder and defender. With the loss of Diangelo Woodside and Mack Chisholm recently, Trevor has really stepped up with valuable playing time and contributing at both ends of the floor. He will be a big part of our overall success as we move forward to ACAA playoffs. Trevor has been a pleasure to coach and we wish him well in his future beyond Mount Allison.”
The basketball games scheduled for Friday, February 7th, against the MSVU Mystics, have been rescheduled to February 21 due to the forecasted inclement weather.