Strong fourth quarter propels Capers past Axemen

SYDNEY – The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (6-4) tipped off the post-Christmas regular season schedule in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men's basketball with an 88-78 win over the Acadia Axemen (4-6) on Friday night at Sullivan Fieldhouse.  

The visitors jumped to an early 5-0 edge in the first two minutes, but the Capers answered and tied the contest on a three-pointer from Mitchell Mersereau (Sydney, NS). 

That rally sparked a CBU run, with Stefan Anisko (Caledonia, ON) providing the home side with a 16-9 lead; one that mushroomed to a game-high 22-9 after a hoop from first-year Caper Shaquai Manswell (Ajax, ON). 

The Axemen finished the opening 10 minutes on a 7-2 burst that trimmed the Caper edge to 24-16 after the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, keyed by AUS-leading scorer Glen Cox (Scotsburn, NS) and his ability to get to the hoop and free-throw line, along with Gabe Davignon (White's Lake, NS), who drained consecutive baskets from beyond the arc, the Axemen made a 17-3 run to take a 33-29 lead. 

After Cox muscled in another contested lay-up late in the first half, Acadia led 40-34. 

Mersereau, with quality play on both ends of the floor, helped pull the Capers even before the Axemen took at 42-40 edge to the locker room on a buzzer-beating lay-up from Cox.  

In the third quarter, the teams traded baskets in a see-saw battle, with the largest lead by either side five points for the Capers. 

The contest was deadlocked 59-59 heading to the fourth quarter. 

In the final stanza, the interior play of veteran forward Tyson Cato (Hamilton, ON), along with five consecutive points from first-year Caper Aaron Cunningham (Orangeville, ON), propelled CBU to a 79-70 advantage. 

Down the stretch, the Axemen could not shrink the lead to less than six points, while the Capers sealed the deal at the charity stripe. 

Pryce, the Chartwells player of the game, fashioned a double-double – 27 points and 10 rebounds – while adding six assists. 

Cato, with 16, Mersereau (15) and Anisko (13) also collected double figures in scoring for CBU. 

Cox, with a game-high 33 points, led Acadia. He also added eight rebounds for the visitors. 

Gabe Davignon added 17 points, including four three-pointers. 

The teams will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m., at Sullivan Fieldhouse.