Mystics defeat Mounties for a weekend sweep
The visiting Mount Allison Mounties travelled to Halifax to battle the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics to kick start their 2024-25 season. It was the home team, Mystics that left the battle with a crucial early season victory, defeating the Mounties 74-68.
Jaydan Smith led the Mystics with a team high 17 points. It was a stat stuffing performance by Smith as he finished with 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block and 1 steal. Isaac Matheson chipped in with a double-double, scoring 13 points and a team high 10 rebounds. Also contributing to the Mystics victory, Jaxon Smith finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists.
Jonas Munroe led the Mounties today in defeat, with a double-double performance of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Both were game high tallies. Helping Munroe, were teammates Rashawn Ferguson and Ryan Norris. Ferguson finished with a 13 point and 11 rebound double double, Norris finished with 12 points and 4 rebounds.
The Mystics got off to a fast start looking to continue from their game yesterday. They started the game off with a 9-2 run, forcing the Mounties to call a timeout. Momentum shifted post-timeout as the Mounties with on a 8-0 run to gain a 10-9 early advantage. It was a steady back and forth battle for the remainder of the first quarter. The quarter ended 24-21 for the Mounties, in thanks to a big three by Jonas Munroe as time was expiring.
The second quarter started with a huge three by Sam Gilmore off the bench. As the defense picked up, baskets became more challenging for both teams. They traded basket after basket, but it was the Mystics who gained the lead by the end of the second quarter, taking a 41-37 lead into halftime.
Isaac Matheson provided the intensity at the start of the third quarter, leading the Mystics on a quick 6-0 run prompting the Mounties coaching staff to call another timeout, in hopes to respond to the Mystics early storm. After the timeout, Rashawn Ferguson made an and-one basket after a strong attack to the hoop with 4:24 remaining in quarter. The Mounties hoped to claw back into the game, but the Mystics defensive tenacity only increased as the quarter continued. Their on-ball pressure led to a shot clock violation and a turnover towards the end of the shot clock, with ending with a transition layup for Jaxon Smith. The Mystics took a 58-46 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Mounties came out to start the quarter ready to make a run versus the Mystics. Kaden Augustin hit a three-pointer as the shot clock expired, and it seemed like the Mounties grabbed the momentum, as they went on a 12-4 run, capped by a Kwame Asiedu three-pointer. This led to a Mystics timeout, where they hoped to regroup and finish the game. Following the timeout, Jaydan Smith hit a contested left-handed floater over the Mounties defender, followed a timely mid-range jumper a few possessions later. The Mystics were able to close out the Mounties thanks to Keigan Feron, who was a monster on the offensive glass. Feron was able to grab consecutive rebounds in the waning minutes to give his team extra possessions to close out the visiting Mounties. It was his final offensive rebound of the game that led to an Adam Callaghan that sealed the game for the Mystics.
The Mystics travel to Prince Edward Island to take on the Holland College Hurricanes as they play Friday, November 1st. The Mounties travel to Saint John to battle the UNBSJ Seawolves.