Game Recap:  Highlanders 105 vs Halifax Hurricanes 94  

Game Date:  Wednesday, April 10th, 2019

Game Number: 4 of NBLC Playoffs 2019

Location: Centre 200

Team Records: Cape Breton, 2-2

                   Halifax, 2-2

Game Video: NBLCLive.ca

Game Highlights

Quarter 1: Highlanders 20, Hurricanes 25

The Highlanders came into the Wednesday night contest after a tough 3-point home loss to the Halifax Hurricanes at Centre 200. The Cape Breton crowd was electric as Bruce Massey and 6th Man of the Year winner, Jamal Reynolds, took to the court for what could have been the final time this season. Terry Thomas of the Halifax Hurricanes led his team by shooting 3-pointers and getting offensive rebounds. Cape Breton played effective defense but couldn’t get the ball to drop. Bruce Massey led the Highlanders and scored several drives to the basket to keep the score within 5 points to end the 1st quarter.

Quarter 2: Highlanders 47, Hurricanes 46

The Hurricanes came out strong to start the second quarter, led by Mike Poole and Rhamel Brown, and gained a 12-point lead early in the 2nd quarter. The Highlanders fought back with good defense from Jabari Craig and offense from Charles Strowbridge and Reynolds, who sacrificed his body to charge to the hoop and score points. The Highlanders fought back to lead by 1 point at the end of the first half.

Quarter 3: Highlanders 66, Hurricanes 72

The second half saw both teams pick up their intensity. It was a rough and tough game with plenty of fouls and chippy play. The teams would trade baskets for the most part of the quarter. Halifax slowly went on a run because the Highlanders couldn’t buy a basket from beyond the arc.  Defensive Player of the Year, Rhamel Brown, of the Hurricanes continued to play well against the Highlanders and helped his team gain a 6-point edge heading into the final frame.

Quarter 4: Highlanders 88, Hurricanes 88

The 4th quarter was physical as the Hurricanes looked to keep the foot on the gas and get defensive stops. But, the Highlanders would go on a 7-point run fuelled by Strowbridge and Massey. Mike Poole and Terry Thomas combined to almost keep the Highlanders out of the game, but in the late minutes, the Highlanders Bruce Massey took over. Massey tied the game on two free throws with 20.7 seconds left. Halifax had a chance to win but Devin Sweetney of the Highlanders forced the miss throw by Poole in the dying seconds of regulation, forcing the Highlanders season into overtime.

Overtime: Highlanders 105 Hurricanes 94

The Highlanders maintained their momentum in the 5-minute overtime, outscoring the Hurricanes 17 to 6. Massey scored 9 of the overtime points with two clutch 3-pointers and hitting 3 of 4 from the free throw line.  He finished the game with 37 points to lead all scorers. The series is now tied 2-2 with the final game on Saturday to determine who will go on to the division finals.

Stat Leaders

View detailed box score

Next Game - Playoff Game 5: Saturday, April 13th @ Halifax Hurricanes at 7PM.