Capers lose in dying minutes to Axemen

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Axemen remain in contention for top spot in the AUS as they improve to 9-6 with a 76-73 edging of the Cape Breton Capers.

Kyle Arseneault's (Fredericton, N.B.) return from injury benefited the Axemen with Arseneault netting a game high 25 points that included six three point baskets.

Trailing 10-2 early in the first quarter, the Capers worked their way back on a 13 point run and finally closed out the first quarter with a 17-13 lead over the hometown Axemen.

Kelson Devereaux (Sydney, N.S.) led the way for the Capers with six points after the first frame, while Axeman Shaquille Smith (North Preston, N.S.) netted six.

Three 3 point baskets by Arseneault in the second frame allowed the Axemen to push into a 34-23 lead in the closing minute of the first half.

Behind 36-30 after one half of play, the Capers went back to work on tying the game at 47 with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter. Erik Nissen's (Quispamsis, N.B.) slam dunk with two minutes remaining along with Arseneault's three pointer with 3 seconds remaining in the third frame gave Acadia a 53-50 lead.

With 4:20 remaining in the game, Cape Breton powered their way into their largest lead of game of nine points. But the team of Arseneault and Ben Miller (Winnipeg, Man.) combined for 11 points to give the advantage back to the Axemen. Miller, who had no points prior to the final quarter, posted eight in the closing eight minutes of the game.

Made free throws by Shaquille Smith and Nissen in the final 30 seconds sealed the win for the Axemen 

Cedric Kasongo (Welland, Ont.), named the Capers' Player of the Game, led the team with 18 points, while teammates Meshack Lufile (Burlington, Ont.) and Kelson Devereaux added 16 and 12 points respectively. Kenny Jean-Louis (Montreal, Que.) handled a team high nine rebounds – eight defensive boards.

On the winning side, Arseneault's game high 25 points was followed by Shaquille Smith's 18 and Erik Nissen's 13 points and nine rebounds. Second year three point shooting sensation Nick De Palma (Bedford, N.S.) was held to three points on one of four from the distant arc.

Head coach Kevin Duffie was happy with the effort but inconsistency marred the his team's play. "We were consistently inconsistent. Both ends", pointed out Duffie. "Defensively we struggled to get into a rhythm and get consistent stops and keep them out of the paint. We settled on offense and didn't get great shots. But I thought it was a character win. We were down by six with three and a half left. Ben makes two great shots and Kyle makes a three and then we are right back into the game. A resilient effort"

Both team's will hit the court for the second time this weekend tomorrow night starting at 8:00 pm.  The Axemen split the opening weekend back in November at Cape Breton. The Capers drop to 7-7 and will hope to even the season series with a win tomorrow night.