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Men's Basketball Mounties Gain Split During Weekend Play
February 20, 2020

Men's Basketball Mounties Gain Split During Weekend Play

The men's basketball Mounties team went 1-1 last weekend, in ACAA action at home.  On Saturday, they defeated the UKC Blue Devils (University of Kings College), 83-55, before travelling to Holland College Sunday and losing, 98–79, in a first place show down.  The men's basketball Mounties, who dropped to 14th in CCAA national rankings, are now 11-4 and have sole possession of 2nd place with only three league games remaining before ACAA Basketball Playoffs in Halifax March 6th through 8th.


Against the UKC Blue Devils on Saturday (Feb 15), the Mounties again used a balanced scoring attack and impressive team difference to break open the game and this saw the Mounties up only 10 points, 45-35, at half. They however would only allow the Blue Devils 20 points in the second-half and scored 38 of their own points; which then secured their 11th win of the 2019-2020 season.   Leading scorer, Sam Pierson, had 13 points and hauled down 8 rebounds to lead the Mountie attack while Aram Currie, Noah McCarthy and Ite Adekeye added 12 points apiece, Emmanuel Octavious put down 9 points and 8 rebounds and Brett Curtis with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and four steals.  Reese Zorogola led the UKC Blue Devils with 18 points.


The Mounties' win over the UKC Blue Devils on Saturday had then set the tone for a key first-place match up between the HC Hurricanes and MtA Mounties; who entered the game with identical 11-3 records. This game was anything but the classic match it was billed for; as the Mounties were easily defeated 98-79.   Falling behind, 23-10, after the first quarter; the Mounties never recovered and saw their teams worst ACAA performance of the season. The Hurricanes, who led 48-23 at half, continued to dominate throughout the game.  In the league, the Mounties were leading in the 'fewest points allowed per game' at 72 points and  gave up a season high 98 points. Only two teams this season scored more than 80 points on the Mounties (Stu Tommies hit 82 during the first game of the 2019-20 season and the CU Chargers were 80 three weeks ago). While the Mounties would put up an impressive 56 points in the second half, they never seriously threatened the Hurricanes' lead.  

Jayden McMullin led the Hurricanes with 23 points while Jordan Holness had 21. The Mounties were led by Sam Pierson, with 20 pts, Ite Adekeye with 18, James French 14, Noah McCarthy 12 and Aram Currie with 11.

According to Coach Chapman "it was a total team collapse defensively; to allow 98 points in a single game is absolutely unacceptable.  We have higher standards than that. HC Hurricanes had played very well and we basically allowed it to happen for 40 minutes. It was a disappointing performance, with first place on the line." J

 

The Mounties now face three important games,over the next two weeks, and with the final league seatings on the line.

  • Friday night (Feb 21) they will host the 3rd place MSVU Mystics (10-5) in a 7:00 PM tip-off.
  • Sunday (Feb 23) they hit the road to Halifax to play the same Mystics at 3:00 PM.
  • In the upcoming ACAA basketball play-offs the Mounties, Mystics and StU Tommies have the opportunity to secure a 2nd place finish and a first-round bye.
  • The basketball Mounties travel to St. Thomas University to take on the Tommies on February 29th, for the final regular-season game for both teams.

If you can't make it out to the Mount Allison University Athletics Centre this Friday night, you can live-stream all of the Mounties' games at www.acaatv.ca.  The schedule can be found at: www.mountiepride.ca.

Go Mounties!