Offensive explosion from Callaghan leads Capers to win over Huskies

Second-half offensive explosion from Callaghan leads Capers to win over Huskies

Veteran Sydney guard finishes with game-high 34 points  

By Corey LeBlanc

Sydney, NS – Led by an out-of-this-world offensive display by Jason Callaghan (Sydney, NS) in the second quarter, the hometown Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (2-5) scored a thrilling 102-91 victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies (4-3) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) basketball action on Friday night at Sullivan Fieldhouse.

With his team trailing 29-23 early in the second quarter, Callaghan made the second of two free throws to trim the Saint Mary's advantage to five points. And, by the time another Caper hit the scoresheet later in the stanza, he had tallied 18 consecutive points to give his team a 38-33 edge.

"I was just telling my teammates that I can't remember the last time I was locked in like that," Callaghan, a fourth-year senior said, noting it would have come during his high school days at Sydney Academy.  

Finishing with 26 points at halftime, the CBU veteran had fashioned his scoring explosion in a variety of ways, including drives to the basket, jumpers off one leg in the paint, and three-point shots from long distance. 

And, along with the sensational point total, Callaghan chipped in six rebounds and three assists in the opening 20 minutes. 

The Capers, who outscored the Huskies 31-10 in the second quarter, took at 50-35 to the locker room at halftime.

"It was a huge win for our team, and I am glad I was able to contribute; getting that first home victory is important," the team-first Callaghan offered. 

He noted he thought he could be due for a big offensive performance; something he relayed to his long-time teammate Paul Watson earlier in the week. 

Although the pace steadily quickened as the first quarter opened, both sides had difficulty finding the basket. 

After Saint Mary's guard Ethan Vey (Conception Bay, NL) and AUS leading scorer Osman 'Ozzy' Omar (Mississauga, ON) exchanged three-pointers, the sides were deadlocked 17-17.

The Huskies – on the strength of an 8-2 spurt, one keyed by a shot from beyond the arc drained by Jonas Maerz (Rosenheim, Germany) – led 25-19 after the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, after an electrifying drive to the basket for two from fifth-year guard Dontae Mitchell (Vaughan, ON), the Huskies increased their edge to 29-20.

From there, it became the Callaghan show, one that sparked the Capers to their impressive lead midway through the contest.

In the third quarter, Saint Mary's started to chip away at the 15-point halftime deficit; ignited by back-to-back three-pointers from Sam Gillett (Halifax, NS).

After a steal and basket from Shae Linton-Brown (Toronto, ON), the Huskies pulled within seven points, trailing 62-55. 

Key baskets by Omar, along with newcomers Justus Peuser (Geisenheim, Germany) and Live Kivuvu (Harrow, England) the Capers kept the Huskies at bay.

Although the visitors outscored CBU 26-22 in the third, the home team led by double digits – 72-61 – heading to the fourth quarter. 

Early in the final stanza, Saint Mary's – ignited by scoring from Mitchell and Linton-Brown – shaved the Caper advantage to 74-67.

Spurred by a Peuser three-pointer and interior scoring from Tyson Cato (Ajax, ON), CBU restored a double-digit edge – at 84-74 – with six minutes remaining in regulation.

Midway through the fourth-quarter, off the fast break, Linton-Brown sank a soaring three-pointer to make it 85-82 for CBU.

After another Linton-Brown three-pointer and a lay-up from Maertz, the rivals were deadlocked 87-87 with just more than three minutes remaining in the game. 

Seconds later, the Huskies took a two-point edge, when Jackson Enyinna (Port Harcourt, Nigeria) finished off an assist from Linton-Brown.

After consecutive baskets from Peuser and five straight points from Omar, including an old-fashioned three-point play, the CBU regained the lead – a seven-point advantage – at 96-89, with just more than 90 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. 

The Capers finished the game on a 15-2 run to secure the victory. 

Callaghan – the Subway player of the game – led all scorers with 34 points, on a sensational 13-for-19 from the field, while adding six rebounds and five assists. 

Omar and Kivuvu scored 18 apiece, while Peuser added 12.

Cato contributed a monster double-double – 15 points and 21 rebounds – while adding five assists.

For the Huskies, Linton-Brown finished with a team-high 27 points, while adding 10 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals, as part of a double-double performance. 

Maertz and Mitchell – with 20 and 17 points, respectively – also finished with double-digit scoring games for Saint Mary's.

Enyinna collected eight points and 13 rebounds in the loss. 

The Huskies will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 23, when they host the Acadia Axemen in Halifax.

The Capers will return to the hardwood on Friday, Nov. 25, when they welcome the UNB Reds to Sullivan Fieldhouse.

Tip-off for both match-ups is 8 p.m.

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