Tigers rally in closing minutes to grab a win over Axemen
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The second-place Dalhousie Tigers defeat the Acadia Axemen 95–84 in what was a very back-and-forth game from start to finish.
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The second-place Dalhousie Tigers defeat the Acadia Axemen 95–84 in what was a very back-and-forth game from start to finish.
Subway Player of the Game Malcolm Christie (Fredericton, N.B.) led the Tigers in scoring. Christie netted 27 points on a scorching 79% from the field and 71% from three. Acadia's player of the game was Alex Muise (Halifax, NS). Muise posted 24 points along with two steals.
Dalhousie got out to an early lead in the first quarter, but the Axemen were able to flip the script in the second and third quarters.
In the second quarter, Acadia was able to hold the Tigers to just 15 points on poor efficiency. In the third quarter, the Axemen were electric from three, converting on six of their eight attempts. It was during this third quarter that most of the game's six ties and 13 lead changes occurred.
Alex Ruiz (Valencia, ESP) secured a block, leading to a layup by Malcolm Christie to open the scoring in the fourth period. Christie's layup was followed up by another block by the Tigers leading to a made layup.
The shift in momentum proved too much for the Axemen to overcome as they were ultimately outscored 31 – 20 in the final frame of action. Ruiz was a huge contributor for Dalhousie, posting a 20-point and 15-rebound double-double for the Tigers. Ruiz scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter. Tiger Nginyu Ngala (Montreal, Que.) posted 25 points
Thomas MacDonald (Rothesay, N.B.) and Seth Blundell (Vernon, B.C.) combined for six rebounds each. MacDonald had 13 points and teammate Demeric Mercer (Halifax, N.S.) added 12 in the losing cause.
This loss brings the Axemen to 2 – 12, while the win improves the Tigers to 10 – 6.
The win gives Dalhousie second place in AUS with 4 games left in their season. The Axemen remain at home tomorrow to play the UNB REDS tomorrow night. The Tigers travel to UPEI to face the Panthers. Both games start at 8:00 PM AST.
RECAP BY: Ryan Wallace, Acadia Athletics