After defeating the higher ranked Crandall Chargers yesterday, the Mount Allison Mounties have continued their surprising and magical prowess today in the 2014-15 ACAA Basketball Championship semi-finals.
Facing off against the top team in the ACAA, the St. Thomas Tommies (15-3) who are also ranked #4 nationally, they came out of the doors running, playing as if they themselves were the number one seed in the championships.
Methodical team play characterized the Mounties style in the first half.
The Mounties made the Tommies pay with well-placed shots from outside the circle. The Mounties’ three point made average was a flamboyant 54.5% compared to the Tommies dismal 11.1%.
Mounties’ Sarah McGeachy was responsible for 3 of the 6 three point shots made in the first half, and was instrumental in leading her team over the Tommies. She ended the game with 21 points and 4 steals.
Another characteristic of the Mounties dominance throughout the first three quarters was Lauren MacEacheran who tirelessly drove towards the net, often sinking a two point shot from tough angles and positions.
But it was not entirely a field of flowers for the Mounties – there is a reason why the Tommies are ranked fourth nationally.
In the fourth quarter, while the Mounties offense fizzled, the Tommies sizzled, going on a 28-12 scoring run that reduced a near twenty point Mountie lead at the end of the third quarter to just a one point lead with seconds left.
Somehow, the Mounties mustered enough to barricade the Tommies and pull off a 70-69 win, in what most definitely was the most intense and close games of the entire championships so far.
In the loss, Tommies player of the game Hilary Goodine notched 22 points.
The Mounties go on to challenge the Holland College Hurricanes Sunday at 1:00pm for the ACAA Championship. All game action is available online live for free at www.acaatv.ca
