(HALIFAX, NS) The Dalhousie Tigers dominated overtime, taking a 78-70 win in a tight game against the UNB Reds, Saturday in Halifax.
The Reds opened with some hot shooting from beyond the arc, with Daniel Pitcher (Sydney, AUS) knocking down two, and Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB) adding a third to force an early time-out from the Tigers.
Out of the time-out, shots weren't falling at a high percentage for the Tigers, but they were aggressive on the offensive glass, opening second chance opportunities in the paint, highlighted by Sascha Kappos (Miami, FL) slashing through the paint to throw down a big dunk.
Daniel Levitt (Montreal, QC) knocked down the Reds fifth three of the frame at the buzzer to give UNB a 19-11 first quarter lead.
Alex Carson (Lower Sackville, NS) got the Tigers started on an early run in the second quarter with five points in two quick possessions.
The Reds were once again sparked by the deep ball, with Levitt and Spurrell hitting on back to back possessions as UNB took back the lead on a short run of their own.
After an exciting first half, the Reds held the advantage at 32-29.
Foul trouble became an issue for the Reds in the third quarter with the Tigers earning plenty of trips to the line where they were shooting 85% as a team.
The Reds were able to keep it tight and slow the Tigers run with a few big threes coming from Levitt and Pitcher.
After three quarters, the Tigers led 51-45.
The fourth quarter was full of runs going both ways, started by the Tigers jumping out to an eight point lead.
Following a time-out, the Reds made a run of their own with Will Legere (Amherst, NS) banking a three, followed by Pitcher knocking down another pull-up jumper to make it a one-point game with two minutes to go.
With just 18 seconds left and down by three, Pitcher drove the lane and showed great vision on the kick to Spurrell who came up clutch with a huge three to send it to overtime at 67-67.
The Tigers came out firing on a 7-0 run, with Kappos knocking down back to back mid-range jumpers to force a UNB time-out.
The Reds got another three from Spurrell, but it was the only bucket in the overtime as the Tigers pulled away for the 78-70 win.
Free throws made the difference for Dal. The Tigers were 32-for-38, while the Reds were just 2-for-8.
Spurrell finished with 21 points, while Dal's Carson was 4-for-4 from deep to finish with 22 points.
The Reds will finish their Atlantic University Sport regular season schedule next weekend with a pair of home games against Saint Mary's and Acadia.
RECAP BY: Kirk Jessome/for Dal Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillan/for Dal Athletics