Capers take down Panthers 91-71 in much-needed win
The Cape Breton Capers needed a win, and they got one Friday night when they took down the UPEI Panthers 91-71.
Capers take down Panthers 91-71 in much-needed win
By Thomas Becker
The Cape Breton Capers needed a win, and they got one Friday night when they took down the UPEI Panthers 91-71.
Perennial all-star Osman Omar led the charge with a game-high 28 points, as the Capers (1-4) snapped their four-game skid. CJ Bennett also reached double figures with 18 points, while Jason Callaghan added 16 off the bench.
Kamari Scott finished with a team-high 21 points off the bench in the loss, while Elijah Miller had 12. Glen Cox and Isaiah Ankra also reached double figures with 11 points apiece.
For Omar and the Capers, Friday's game felt like a must-win.
"Getting a win this big definitely helps the team's morale," Omar said. "This is just the start for us. Now that we have this one, we have to look for more."
Opposing stars, Omar and Miller, went at each other early before an Ankra hoop and harm gave the Panthers a 12-10 lead. After a Dakelle Brooks three-pointer made it 17-12, the Capers scored the next four to make it 17-16 heading into the second quarter.
The Capers took a quick 21-17 lead, but a Cox layup followed by a Scott and-one pulled UPEI (3-2) ahead 22-21. Cape Breton's Callaghan scored five straight to cap off an 11-3 run, as his team stormed in front 32-25. Omar then drilled a jumper and added a layup to push the lead to nine.
After the Panthers made it a six-point game, Callaghan put away two free throws before Bennett connected on a pair of triples, as Cape Breton extended their advantage to 44-32. They led 44-34 at the break.
Bennett scored six points early in the third, as the Capers extended their lead to 56-40. Moments later, Cape Breton connected on three straight triples to push it to 65-43 before taking a 72-51 lead into the fourth.
Up big, Omar continued to look for his offence and scored seven of his 28 points in the quarter to secure the Capers' 91-71 win.
After the game, Omar talked about the team's defensive intensity being the difference in the game. Cape Breton held the Panthers to just 39.4 per cent from the field and 20.8 per cent from beyond the arc.
"Our mental preparation this whole week was focused on defence. Everyone was locked in on what UPEI was doing, and we came for that 'dub'."
The two teams are back at it again Saturday night.