Visiting Panthers edge Capers 79-78 in last-second thriller

Visiting Panthers edge Capers 79-78 in last-second thriller

By Corey LeBlanc

SYDNEY – Keyed by a sensational fourth-quarter performance from Kamari Scott (Malton, ON), the visiting UPEI Panthers (9-11) defeated the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (9-10) 79-78 in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men's basketball action on Friday night at Sullivan Fieldhouse.

In the home finale for the Capers, both teams got a slow start offensively in a first quarter that ended knotted 18-18.

After Aaron Cunningham (Orangeville, ON) collected a steal and scored, CBU led 7-5.

A few minutes later, on a silky smooth base line jumper from freshman Owen Smith (Harvey York, NB), the visitors led 12-11.

Early in the second quarter, Shakael Pryce cut the UPEI lead to 27-24 after fashioning a hoop-and-harm three-point play.

Pryce, in his first season with the Capers, ignited an 11-0 burst that gave the home side a 35-28 advantage.

Daniel Gonzalez-Longarela (Madrid, ESP) stopped the spurt with a jump hook in the low post.

Ceejay Hanson (Manchester, England) provided a lift for CBU with a breakaway slam dunk and blocked shot.

Veteran Jace Colley (East Preston, NS) scored six unanswered points to pull his team within one point.

The Capers led 39-36 at halftime.

In the third quarter, after Mitchell Mersereau (Sydney, NS) opened the scoring with a three-pointer that made it 42-36, Colley responded, once again, and rallied the Panthers to tie the contest.

By the midway point of the stanza, the teams were deadlocked 46-46.

The see-saw affair continued, with the Panthers taking a 58-57 edge to the final 10 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, after five straight points from Daren Clarke (Hamilton, ON), including a three-pointer, UPEI led 63-57.

Highlighted by four consecutive points from Stefan Anisko (Caledonia, ON), including a highlight-reel dunk, the Capers rattled off eight in a row to take a 65-63 lead.

Scott followed with a three-pointer to give the Panthers a one-point advantage (66-65) and, from there, he and Pryce of the Capers took center stage for both offenses.

CBU took a late 76-71 lead, but UPEI bounced back and were up 77-76 after a Scott free throw.

On a turnaround, fade away, Mersereau made it 78-77 for the Capers before Scott netted the final points with two hoops from the charity stripe to provide the margin of victory for the Panthers.

Pryce led CBU with a game-high 32 points, while adding eight rebounds and five assists.

Cato finished with 16 points and five rebounds, while Mersereau added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Colley, with a double-double, led UPEI with 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Sam Chisholm (Bridgetown, NS) also achieved the feat – with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while chipping in four assists.

Clarke and Gonzalez-Longarela finished with 10 points apiece.

Scott, who was injured early in the game, gutted out a sensational performance – particularly late – in finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Scott and Pryce were named the Chartwells player of the game for their teams.

Before the game – on senior night at CBU – Merlin and Cato were honoured for their contributions to the university and CBU Athletics, both athletically and academically.

The Panthers have completed their regular season schedule, while the Capers will wrap up the campaign on Saturday, Feb. 17, on Coach 'K' Court at the Saputo Centre in Antigonish, versus the defending conference champion STFX X-Men.

Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. 

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