The UNB Saint John Seawolves were unable to defend their home territory against Canada’s no. 1 ranked team, the Holland College Hurricanes. The game, which took place at the G. Forbes Athletic Centre, was the Wolves’ first home game of the second semester, and was played out in front of a full home crowd, several of whom came to support the annual Think Pink Fundraiser as well as the Wolves.
The 107-56 loss was a bit shocking for head coach Peter Vincent.
“I’m not thrilled about losing to them by 40. I think we’re better than that. I’d be happy if we lost by 20 […]I could accept that.”
The Hurricanes, now 10-0, shot an incredible 62.5% from the 3-pt line, and were able to capitalize on their strengths from behind the line.
The first quarter saw both teams exchange shots back and forth, with the Hurricanes going on an early 12-0 run before a quick jumper from Keegan Gray (10) put the Seawolves back in the game.
After Gray’s basket, it seemed as though all shots made by the Wolves were responded by one from Holland, and it resulted in a 30-18 score at the end of the first.
The second quarter started out with two big 3 point shots from both K. Gray and Keshaun Skeir (3). Sam Anstey (20) was able to chip in two points, followed by another huge 3 from Skeir. This momentous run put the Wolves within 1 point, and the excitement throughout the gym was palpable.
Holland responded with four 3 pointers of their own, three of which came from second year Michael Ange (1).
After the exciting run, both teams went on a bit of a dry spell, with neither team scoring until Holland came swinging and went on another 11-0 run.
Will Legere (9) was able to respond with a jump shot of his own, but the half ultimately ended with a score of 55-37 for the Hurricanes.
“Our defense went south on us, and they went on a couple 10 or 12 point runs and just buried us,” said Vincent after the game. “We had a couple of good runs too, good looks out of our offence, but then we just stopped doing what was working.”
The second half saw the Hurricanes go on another one of said runs, going for 12 points until K. Gray was able to respond with two points. Unfortunately, the Wolves were unable to capitalize on the excitement, and allowed the Hurricanes to go on another 12 point run. The third quarter ended without much fanfare, with a score of 82-44 for the Hurricanes.
The fourth quarter saw much of the same. The Hurricanes, now ahead by a comfortable margin, put in most of their bench, and ended the fourth quarter with a score of 107-56.
Roosevelt “Chicken” Whyley (8) led all scorers with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Chase Bowden (14) chipped in with 21 points of his own for the Hurricanes offence.
K. Gray and Skeir led the Wolves with 13 and 12 points apiece.
With the loss, the Wolves now drop to 2-9. There is still a chance for playoffs, if they are able to beat both Kings and St. Thomas University in their upcoming games.
Luckily, Vincent is already thinking of next weekend.
“What we’ve been trying to do this weekend is getting ourselves in the right mindset, both mentally and physically. We’re really prepping for next weekend, because we play Kings [University College] twice.”
“Those are the critical games. Our intention was to get good minutes for everybody this weekend. Make sure we’re playing well, and than head down [to Halifax] to beat Kings. We need to win those two.”
The Seawolves will rematch against the Hurricanes on Sunday, January 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 5pm, with the women playing just before at 3pm.
Other Seawolf action this weekend includes both volleyball teams playing on Sunday as well. Men’s volleyball will be taking on Université Sainte-Anne at 11am, while the women will square off against Dalhousie Agricultural Campus at 1pm. All games will be available on acaatv.ca.
There will be a bake sale, as well as a 50/50 draw, a gift basket raffle, and a chance to shoot for free tuition on Sunday, January 22, in support of our Think Pink Weekend. All proceeds from the weekend will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
