Huskies earn much-needed win, defeat Panthers 79-75

By Thomas Becker 

As bunched up as the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) standings are, every win and every loss can feel like life or death. For the Saint Mary's Huskies, they're feeling pretty good about themselves after defeating the UPEI Panthers 79-75 Friday night. 

While the Huskies still find themselves in last place with a 2-5 record, the win keeps them in the thick of things, considering there are four teams tied atop the standings with 4-3 records.

The Huskies looked like a team that wanted this game more, and it reflected on the scoresheet as five players reached double figures in the win. Jayrell Diggs led the way with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jonas Maerz connected on 5-of-8 triples for 15 points, while Jackson Enyinna finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Marc-Denault Gabriel recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Tjark Lademacher added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

By comparison, the Panthers (3-4) had two players who reached double figures. Former Huskie Jace Colley had a game-high 22 points with nine rebounds and two blocks. Kyree Thompson had a tough shooting night but still contributed 14 points and five rebounds.

Maerz got the Huskies off to a strong start, drilling two three-pointers in an 11-2 game. They would open up a 10-point advantage after a Gabriel putback made it 18-8.

However, the Panthers chipped into the deficit and cut it to 24-22 on a Colley layup for two of his eight first-quarter points. Maerz added his third triple of the night in the dying seconds of the quarter, where the Huskies led 27-22.

UPEI's bench unit carried that momentum into the second quarter where the Panthers took control. The combination of Thompson, Sam Chisholm and Owen Smith gave their team a much-needed lift, as they combined for 14 points in the frame.

After Smith tied the game at 29 apiece on a three-pointer, the two teams traded baskets for a while before the Panthers closed the half on an 11-6 run to take a 47-43 lead. Cameron Brown was also effective in the quarter, scoring seven of his nine points mostly off hustle plays and putbacks. 

Despite the Panthers' resurgence, the Huskies were not to be outdone. Saint Mary's honed in on their defence in the second half and limited the Panthers to just 28 points on 35.1 per cent shooting. Colley did his part, scoring 12 of those points, but the offence as a whole laboured throughout.

Down 61-60 going into the fourth quarter, the Huskies attacked the basket at every opportunity and were rewarded for it. Almost half of their free throws were made in the decisive quarter, as they outscored their opponent 12-2 from the charity stripe.

Diggs was a factor down the stretch, as the veteran forward scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth. With 1:28 remaining, Diggs drove hard to the basket and converted a layup to pull his team ahead 76-75, as they went on to win 79-75.

The Panthers travel to Halifax next where they'll take on the Dalhousie Tigers Sunday afternoon, while the Huskies host the St. FX X-Men next Friday.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek