HALIFAX (U SPORTS) – The Saint Mary’s Huskies got an inspired performance from guard Marquis Clayton, helping them top the Alberta Golden Bears 98-93 in overtime. 

After being held to just three first-half points, Clayton came alive in the final 23 minutes, including sinking the game-tying shot in regulation as well as six in the extra session.

“Marquis was terrific in the second half,” said Huskies head coach Jonah Taussig. “He knocked down a lot of big shots for us and defended pretty well as well.” 

Huskies guard Theon Reefer established his presence inside early, getting to the line four times, while leading all scorers with seven points after the first quarter. Alberta countered with 7-foot-2 post Brett Roughead, who got the start in place of Brody Clarke. He went 2-for-3 from the field and had six points. 

Neither team shot particularly well in the opening 10 minutes, as both sides were below 40 per cent. The biggest factor for the Huskies was their ability to defend Alberta from the perimeter, as they held the Canada West conference’s best team from three-point range to just two treys and led by five after one. 

Forward Mamadou Gueye brought his team back in the second quarter, thanks to his mid-range game. He would record 11 points, as the Golden Bears shot 61.1 per cent from the field and led by one at halftime. 

The Huskies began to get comfortable from the perimeter in the third, going 4-of-6. Clayton led the way with eight points – including two treys – as Saint Mary’s led by four entering the fourth. 

The Golden Bears would keep pace from three-point range, sinking three treys – matching their combined first half total. Guard Geoff Pippus was the catalyst with nine points, six of which came from the perimeter. 

Annetts would sink five-straight points to give his team a three-point lead late, but Clayton would send the game to overtime, cashing a game-tying three with just one second to play in regulation. 

Clayton kept his hot streak going in the extra session. With the game tied at 89, he would sink two straight treys, which was enough to secure the win for Saint Mary’s. 

Despite the loss, Alberta head coach Barnaby Craddock was pleased with the way his team responded after suffering a heartbreaking loss the night before. 

“It was a difficult loss for us to take (last night), but that’s the character of our guys to come back and bounce back and put their best foot forward and play hard and represent the program,” he said. “I thought they did that, and unfortunately we weren’t successful, but I definitely thought we competed with heart.” 

Saint Mary’s now advances to the consolation final at 8 p.m. AT tomorrow, while Alberta’s tournament is over.

STAT LEADERS

ALB: 16-27-21-23-6: 93

SMU: 21-21-26-19-11: 98

Alberta

Points: Mamadou Gueye (20), Austin Waddoups (19)

Rebounds: Brett Roughead (15)

Assists: Mamadou Gueye (3), Brett Roughead (3)

Player of the game: Mamadou Gueye

Saint Mary’s

Points: Marquis Clayton (24), Theon Reefer (20)

Rebounds: Achuil Lual (7)

Assists: Marquis Clayton (6)

Player of the game: Marquis Clayton   

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (All times AT)    

Thursday, March 9

12:00 p.m. Quarter-final 1: No.2 Carleton 85 vs. No.7 Calgary 69 (TV1 webcast)

2 p.m. Quarter-final 2: No.3 McGill 63 vs. No.6 Manitoba 53 (TV1 webcast)

6 p.m. Quarter-final 3: No.1 Ryerson 79 vs. No.8 Saint Mary’s 70 (TV1 webcast)

8 p.m. Quarter-final 4: No.4 Alberta 65 vs. No.5 Dalhousie 67 (TV1 webcast)

Friday, March 10

6 p.m. Consolation 1: Calgary 92 vs. Manitoba 84 (TV1 webcast)

8 p.m. Consolation 2: Saint Mary’s 98 vs. Alberta 93 (OT) (TV1 webcast)

Saturday, March 11

1 p.m. Semifinal 1: Carleton vs. McGill (Sportsnet 360/SN Now) 

3:30 p.m. Semifinal 2: Ryerson vs. Dalhousie (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)

8 p.m. 5th-place game: Calgary vs. Saint Mary’s (TV1 webcast)

Sunday, March 12

11:30 a.m. Bronze (TV1 webcast)

2:00 p.m. Final (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)