Sea-Hawks hold off Panthers in opening day win

ST. JOHN'S, NL—The Memorial Sea-Hawks opened up their first home game facing the UPEI Panthers. Memorial Seahawks came out on top after a close game with a final score of 79-76.

UPEI Panther started off the game winning the tip off, but Memorial's #14 Nick Tuff was able to come back and find the net first opening up the game. UPEI Panthers #0 was first to put their side on the board with a 2 point jump shot. Memorial dominated the first 5 minutes as UPEI struggled to find their groove. However the Panthers came back resulting in them coming out on top of the first with a score of 15-14. 

Throughout the second quarter the game was back and forth, however Memorial was able to lead the scoreboard. #6 River Drefers helped out the Seahawks by capturing a solid 3 point shot and having strong defensive skills. On the Panthers side, #21 Daniel Gonzales Longarela was active on the rebounds to help his team come back, he was also able to capture a few baskets to close the gap between the two teams. The Seahawks came out of the first half on top with a score of 41-30. 

Memorial's #13 Emanuel Ring was the top scoring player of the first half with a total of 11 points. Seahawks #11 Flynn Boardman-Raffet found himself 8 points along with # Nick Tuff trailing with 6 points. UPEI #21 Daniel Gonzales Longarela was their teams top scorer of the first half with 8 points and #1 Kamari Scott and #0 Kyree Thompson with 6 and 5 points, respectively.  

Opening up the 3rdquarter was a 3 pointer shot by #1 Kamari Scott for the Panthers. Followed by a 3 point shot from #13 Emanual Ring for the Seahawks. Throughout the first 3 minutes the 3 pointers were flying from both sides of the court. #3 Jace Colley smashed the boards with a slam dunk in attempt to close the gap between the Panthers and Seahawks. #13 Ring retaliates and displays an impressive slam dunk to extend the lead Memorial has over UPEI. MUN's #8 Cameron Stanford closed off the quarter with a basket bringing the score to 68-56 for the Seahawks. 

Starting off the 4thquarter strong the Seahawks #14 Nick Tuff was able to send a 3 to the back of the net to continue their lead. As a team the Panthers continued to fight to close the gap between the two teams. UPEI #24 Abilash Surendran was the one able to close the gap and bring the Panthers to leading the game 74-73 with 4 minutes left of game play. #14 Tuff and #13 Ring for the Seahawks were able to each capture a 3 pointer to bring them to a 5 point lead, bringing them a victory of 79-76. 

Top scorer of the game was UPEI's #1 Kamari Scott getting a total 24 points. #3 Jace Colley with 13 points and #2 Sam Chisholm. For the Seahawks it was #13 Emanuel Ring that their teams board with 23 points following along was #14 Nick Tuff with 19 and  #11 Flynn Boardman-Raffet finding 11 points. 

The Memorial Seahawks will face the Panthers again tomorrow night, Saturday October 28th at 8pm.

RECAP COURTESY: Memorial Sea-Hawks Communications / PHOTOS BY: Udantha Chandraratne