Game Recap:  Highlanders 92 vs Saint John Riptide 89

Game Date:  Thursday, March 28th, 2019

Game Number:  39 of 40 of Season 3

Location: Centre 200

Team Records: Cape Breton 18 wins, 21 losses

                    Saint John 17 wins, 22 losses

Game Video: NBLCLive.ca

Game Highlights

With both the Highlanders and the Riptide holding identical records, the winner of this game will finish in third place in the Atlantic Division and take on the second-place Halifax Hurricanes in the playoffs.  The loser will finish in fourth place and take on the league-leading Moncton Magic.  The Highlanders were without Chris Johnson and top-scorer Devin Sweetney for Thursday night’s game.  

Quarter 1: Highlanders 18, Riptide 23

The game started with both teams trading baskets and playing solid defense. Saint John was able to muster up a lead late in the quarter as they held Cape Breton to just 33% shooting. Cape Breton’s Aaron Redpath had 4 assists in the quarter.

Quarter 2: Highlanders 34, Riptide 46

The Riptide started off the second quarter with a 16-6 run to increase their lead. Saint John continued to play strong defense, forcing the Highlanders to turn the ball over 7 times in the quarter. Cape Breton would look to improve their 3-point shooting from 14% in the first half. Cape Breton found themselves down 12 points going into the second half.    

Quarter 3: Highlanders 70, Riptide 70

The Highlanders came out flying in the second half as they started making their shots and went on a 24-8 run to take the lead. The remainder of the quarter saw the teams exchanging leads. The Cape Breton run was led by guard Aaron Redpath who dropped 16 points in the quarter. The game was tied at 70 points a piece with just one quarter to play.

Quarter 4: Highlanders 92, Riptide 89

The 4th quarter was kicked off with the Highlanders going on an 11-4 run to take a good lead. Cape Breton was able to maintain a strong lead throughout the quarter, but a late run from the Riptide put them ahead by 1 point with 39 seconds left. Highlanders Jamal Reynolds and Olu Famutimi hit big free throws to put the team up 3 with just 4 seconds remaining. With one shot to tie the game, Saint John missed a 3-pointer and Cape Breton came out with the big victory in their last regular-season home game.  The Highlanders will play the Halifax Hurricanes in the first-round of the playoffs.  Aaron Redpath had a career game with 27 points, 15 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Stat Leaders

View detailed box score

Next Game: Saturday, March 30 vs Island Storm at 7PM in Charlottetown.

Next Home Game - Playoffs: Monday, April 8 vs Halifax Hurricanes 7PM at C200.