Visiting Panthers edge Capers 79-78 in last-second thriller

SYDNEY, NS—Keyed by a sensational fourth-quarter performance from Kamari Scott (Malton, ON), the visiting UPEI Panthers (9-11) defeated the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (9-10) 79-78 in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men's basketball action on Friday night at Sullivan Fieldhouse.

In the home finale for the Capers, both teams got a slow start offensively in a first quarter that ended knotted 18-18. 

After Aaron Cunningham (Orangeville, ON) collected a steal and scored, CBU led 7-5. 

A few minutes later, on a silky smooth base line jumper from freshman Owen Smith (Harvey York, NB), the visitors led 12-11. 

Early in the second quarter, Shakael Pryce cut the UPEI lead to 27-24 after fashioning a hoop-and-harm three-point play. 

Pryce, in his first season with the Capers, ignited an 11-0 burst that gave the home side a 35-28 advantage. 

Daniel Gonzalez-Longarela (Madrid, ESP) stopped the spurt with a jump hook in the low post.  

Ceejay Hanson (Manchester, England) provided a lift for CBU with a breakaway slam dunk and blocked shot. 

Veteran Jace Colley (East Preston, NS) scored six unanswered points to pull his team within one point. 

The Capers led 39-36 at halftime. 

In the third quarter, after Mitchell Mersereau (Sydney, NS) opened the scoring with a three-pointer that made it 42-36, Colley responded, once again, and rallied the Panthers to tie the contest. 

By the midway point of the stanza, the teams were deadlocked 46-46. 

The see-saw affair continued, with the Panthers taking a 58-57 edge to the final 10 minutes. 

In the fourth quarter, after five straight points from Daren Clarke (Hamilton, ON), including a three-pointer, UPEI led 63-57. 

Highlighted by four consecutive points from Stefan Anisko (Caledonia, ON), including a highlight-reel dunk, the Capers rattled off eight in a row to take a 65-63 lead. 

Scott followed with a three-pointer to give the Panthers a one-point advantage (66-65) and, from there, he and Pryce of the Capers took center stage for both offenses. 

CBU took a late 76-71 lead, but UPEI bounced back and were up 77-76 after a Scott free throw. 

On a turnaround, fade away, Mersereau made it 78-77 for the Capers before Scott netted the final points with two hoops from the charity stripe to provide the margin of victory for the Panthers. 

Pryce led CBU with a game-high 32 points, while adding eight rebounds and five assists.  

Cato finished with 16 points and five rebounds, while Mersereau added 12 points and nine rebounds. 

Colley, with a double-double, led UPEI with 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Sam Chisholm (Bridgetown, NS) also achieved the feat – with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while chipping in four assists. 

Clarke and Gonzalez-Longarela finished with 10 points apiece. 

Scott, who was injured early in the game, gutted out a sensational performance – particularly late – in finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists.  

Scott and Pryce were named the Chartwells player of the game for their teams.

RECAP BY: Corey LeBlanc, CBU Sports Information / PHOTOS BY: Vaughan Merchant