(HALIFAX, NS) The Dalhousie Tigers scored an 80-72 win over the visiting UNB Reds on Friday night.
The Tigers started the game on a big run in the early minutes, with Cedric Sanogo (Montreal, QC) opening the scoring with a three and Sascha Kappos (Miami, FL) throwing down a dunk as the Tigers jumped ahead 13-2.
Ogot Ogot (Edmonton, AB) was able to stop the Tigers run by knocking down a shot from deep, as the Reds slowly chipped away at the deficit throughout the quarter.
Holding for the final possession of the quarter, Tyrell Leotaud (Toronto, ON) stepped up to knock down another shot from deep to trail just 18-16 at the end of the opening quarter.
The shooting was cold from both teams through the opening minutes of the second quarter, neither team able to capitalize and pull ahead.
Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB) stepped up late in the quarter to knock down a three to give the Reds their first lead, but Jordan Brathwaite (Milton, ON) answered with a three of his own on the next possession.
Both teams traded a few jumpers in the final minutes, but at the end of a quiet half, the Tigers still held a slight lead at 32-29.
The three-ball was flying at the start of the second half, with Spurrell and Ogot knocking down long shots on back to back possessions. The Tigers were once again able to answer with Kappos hitting one on the other end.
The deep shot continued to fall for the Tigers at the end of the quarter, with Kappos and Keevan Veinot (Port Williams, NS) connecting from beyond the arc.
After Will Legere (Amherst, NS) was able to knock down a pair from the line, the Tigers pushed the ball and threw up a lob to Kappos to throw down another dunk with time expiring and the Tigers led 55-48.
Both teams were committed to the three in the fourth quarter as well, with Leotaud hitting one, and Jesse Kendall (Guelph, ON) knocking down back to back.
The Tigers got their contributions from multiple hands, with Veinot, Xavier Ochu (Milton, ON) and Alex Carson (Lower Sackville, NS).
The Tigers had the final possession of the game, and with their lead at eight, they were able to dribble out the clock and come away with the 80-72 victory.
Leotaud led the Reds, finishing with 18 point and three rebounds.
Kappos finished with a game-high 23 points for the Tigers, while Veinot earned the Subway Player of the Game title with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The two teams will be back on the court Saturday at 8:00pm for the rematch.
RECAP BY: Kirk Jessome/for Dal Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Carter Hutton/HFX Collective