Mystics top Hurricanes 98-79

(Halifax, NS) The Mount Saint Vincent Mystics topped the Holland Hurricanes 98-79 at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium.

Isaac Matheson (Bedford, NS) led the attack for the Mystics. He finished a double-double with a game-high 28 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Jaydan Smith (Beechville, NS) supported the offense with 24 points, six rebounds, four assists. Adam Callaghan (Sydney, NS) came off the bench with a strong performance, finishing with 16 points, 3-9 from 3-point range.

Bryce Corless (Quispamsis, NB) led the Hurricanes offence in defeat as he finished 23 points, four rebounds, and one blocked shot. Spencer Rossiter (Summerside, PE) chipped in with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for the Hurricanes. Owen Parsons (Hebbville, NS) supported the offence with a double-double statline, as he tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Mystics welcomed the Hurricanes this evening, as both teams showed up eager and ready to battle. Both teams chipped away to hard earned baskets at the start of the quarter. Jaydan Smith, the senior guard for the Mystics, looked to help his team by hitting two deep three-pointers, as his first triple beat the 24-second shot clock. Owen Parsons was a physical presence down low for the Hurricanes, as he hit two of his post finishes in the quarter. The Mystics went on a run towards the end of the quarter, highlighted by consecutive plays by Matheson. He hit a three-pointer, followed by a steal, which led to a strong And-1 finish. The Mystics took the lead after the first quarter, leading 33-22.

The Hurricanes came out with a strong flurry to start the quarter, highlighted by driving lay-up by Ryan MacKinnon (Summerside, PE) and strong drive by Rossiter, that drew a foul call on the made basket. Parsons continued to be a force in the paint for the Hurricanes, highlighted by a beautiful drop-step lay-up. The Mystics responded to the early flurry by the Hurricanes with another triple by Jaydan Smith, followed by a spinning floater by Adam Callaghan (Sydney, NS). The Hurricanes took a timeout after this play to try and regain their composure. After the timeout, both teams continued to trade baskets. The Hurricanes were not able gain any ground, as the Mystics took the 53-43 into halftime.

The Hurricanes looked to make the ground after the halftime break, as they capitalized on their early quarter attempts. Corless had a strong quarter for the Hurricanes, finishing the quarter with 14 points. As both teams continued to battle, the Hurricanes were able to cut the lead to 65-59 for the Mystics midway through the quarter, as the Mystics were forced to take a timeout. As both teams looked to get the advantage, going into the final quarter, it was Jaydan Smith who nailed the buzzer beating three at the end of the third quarter. The Mystics held a tight two-point lead after the third quarter. The Mystics led 73-71.

Going in the final frame, both teams were looking for the final run to close out their opponent. The Mystics struck first out of the break, with a triple from Callaghan and a driving lay-up by Matheson, which led to the Hurricanes timeout. The Hurricanes looked to answer the early response from the Mystics, as Parsons kept attacked down low with another easy lay-up. The Mystics offense was too much as they outscored the Hurricanes 25-8 in the quarter, and it was a midrange jumper from Callaghan that closed the game, as the Mystics won 98-79.

The Mystics move to 6-0 and the Hurricanes fall to 3-3. Both teams return to the court tomorrow as they play the second game of a doubleheader in Halifax. Tip-off is at 6pm.