Diggs drops career-high 33 points as Huskies defeat Tigers 79-76
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Mary's (9-9, 9-9) | 29 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 79 |
|
Dalhousie (10-9, 10-9) | 25 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 76 |
HALIFAX, NS - Saint Mary's guard Jayrell Diggs poured in a career-high 33 points as the Huskies defeated their crosstown rivals the Dalhousie Tigers 79-76 in a must-win game on Wednesday night in Halifax.
The Huskies got off to a tremendous start, with Dontae Mitchell (Vaughan, ON) throwing down an open slam on the first possession of the game, and Shae Linton-Brown (Toronto, ON) hitting a three to put the Huskies up 9-0 in the first quarter.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS �� @SMUMensBBall showed up to play today! Dontae Mitchell with a quick four in style and the Huskies are rolling! Tune in live: https://t.co/CXMv3S1vR2 pic.twitter.com/AP9ytlVmCV
— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 9, 2023
The Tigers chipped away at the lead, but the Huskies shot 4/8 from beyond the arc in the opening quarter, and took a 29-25 lead into the second.
The Huskies continued their dominant play, starting the second quarter on a 7-0 lead, capped off by a three-pointer by Jayrell Diggs (East Preston, NS) to put them up 36-25.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 9, 2023
Jayrell Diggs puts another $3 on the payroll, and the Huskies are up 11. Huskies starting backcourt outscoring the Tigers starting backcourt 33-13 �� @inthefourth_u pic.twitter.com/FtJCMXMYvB
Saint Mary's continued to keep the pressure on the Tigers, and a huge block by forward Kenny Ngassoue (Scarborough, ON) led to a Jonah Crowther (Dartmouth, NS) transition lay-up, putting the Huskies up 42-28 for their largest lead of the night.
Tigers guard Nginyu Ngala (Montreal, QC) helped keep his team in the game with nine second quarter points, and the Huskies led 45-41 at half.
The third quarter was the Jayrell Diggs show, as the second-year point guard scored 10 of his 33 points in the frame, including several highlight reel plays, highlighted by a tough lay-up, huge block and buzzer-beating three to finish the quarter, and the Huskies led 63-56 heading into the final quarter.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 9, 2023
Jayrell Diggs dominating on both ends of the court! Tough drive, huge block and a buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter! He's got 22 and @SMUMensBBall lead 63-56 heading into the fourth. pic.twitter.com/r33fHlGqfL
Diggs continued his hot play into the fourth quarter, scoring the first five Huskies points as the visitors opened up a 68-58 lead. But the Tigers clawed back, led by second year guard Malcolm Christie (Fredericton, NB), who hit a pair of three's, the second of which put Dalhousie ahead 76-74 - their first, and ultimately only lead of the night.
The Huskies closed the game with some big defensive plays and clutch free-throws, as Linton-Brown, Crowther, and Diggs all hit from the line, and the Tigers didn't score in the final 1:22 of regulation, and Saint Mary's gutted out a huge 79-76 victory.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 9, 2023
Jayrell Diggs caps off his career-high 33 point night with the game-sealing free throws, and the Huskies defeat the Tigers 79-76! pic.twitter.com/GAeramVsxS
Huskies guard Jayrell Diggs was named Subway Player of the Game with a career high 33 points, including five three's and a perfect 8/8 from the free-throw line. Guard Dontae Mitchell added 19 and six rebounds, while Shae Linton-Brown chipped in 14 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The Tigers were led by guard Nginyu Ngala who scored 24 points - but was held to just four points on 2/8 shooting in the second half. Guard Malcolm Christie added 20 points, while Sam Maillet chipped in 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Huskies win improves their record to 8-9 on the campaign, and ties them with the Memorial Sea-Hawks for the sixth and final AUS playoff spot. The Tigers second straight loss dropped their record to 10-8.
The two teams will face off in a rematch on Saturday night, this time at the Homburg Centre, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. GET TICKETS
Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos courtesy: Trevor MacMillan / Dalhousie Tigers Athletics