MBB: CAPERS open Shoveller with win over Laval 74-71

(Halifax, NS) – In the third matchup of the Rod and Joan Shoveller Memorial Basketball Tournament, the Laval Rouge et Or took on the Cape Breton Capers at the Dalplex. An explosive third quarter from the Capers allowed them to hold on to a 74-71 win.

The Capers used their pressure defense to turn stops into an offensive output, with Osman Omar (Mississauga, ON) getting into the paint and attacking the rim. At the end of the quarter, Eugene Kankue (Ottawa, ON) knocked down back to back threes of his own.

It was a scrappy second quarter for both teams, with a lot of interior play that led to trips to the line and fouls on both sides. Eugene Kankue continued to drive to the hoop, as well as Shacqier Locke (Mississauga, ON)) with a few nice takes to the inside for the Capers. At the break, Laval led 38-34 over the Capers. 

The Capers offense came out firing at the start of the second half, starting on a 9-2 run in the opening minutes. Laval tried to stay alive in the quarter with the three ball from Leclerc and Nicolas Begin (Quebec, QC), but they were only able to pick up 12 points in the quarter. The Capers continued to pound away in the quarter, winning the third 30-12 to open up a 14 point lead thanks to a full-court buzzer beater from Ibrahim Gosselin-Diawara (Longueuil, QC) to make it 64-50. 

It was a reversed story in the fourth quarter as Laval came out on a 10-0 run by getting into the paint and earning trips to the line and saving time with a stopped clock. It was nearly five minutes before Paul Watson (Mississauga, ON) was able to break the Capers out of the slump with a long-range shot. The Rouge et Or were able to battle their way back into a very tight game by staying aggressive and getting to the line, where the Capers were struggling in the quarter. After a nice steal, Vladamir Thomas was fouled and knocked down a pair to make it a one-point game with just 18 seconds left. The Capers were able to get down to the other end while avoiding the foul and dropped in an easy layup with 10 seconds left. his forced Leclerc into a very difficult three-pointer from deep that rattled off the rim as the Capers were able to survive to take the 74-71 win. 

Osman Omar led the way for the Capers, quietly picking up 25 points and 5 rebounds in the win, while Thomas led Laval with 21 points.