UNBC, Mohawk, Mount Royal & Ahuntsic Advance to CCAA Final Four!
Game 1: #1 UNBC Timberwolves vs. the #8 Red Deer College Kings,
NPH Top Performers
UNBC
- Jose Araujo- 20pts
Red Deer
- Lloyd Strickland- 21pts
The first game of the tournament pegged the #1 seeded UNBC Timberwolves vs. #8 seeded Red Deer College Kings. UNBC came into the tournament as top dog and played liked it with far too much fire power for Red Deer to handle.
The Kings were never able to keep up. UNBC is a team with a lot of national experience which bodes well for their run to capture the gold. UNBC used their superior shooting and ball movement to stifle the King’s defense, jumping out to a 27-12 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, 88-65.
The Timberwolves capitalized on numerous Red Deer turnovers that led to easy baskets in the open court. UNBC is a patient team in the half court who used their ball movement to get a number of wide open shots, which they can knock down with consistency thanks to multiple shooting threats on the perimeter.
The Timberwolves were not going to be beat on this day; everything seemed to be going in for them. This was capped by a one foot runner from three by guard Billy Cheng with time expiring in the third quarter that went in. This play demoralized the Kings from any type of comeback.
Red Deer was unable to get into any rhythm throughout the game. Kings star player Rob Peirce looked frustrated with the Timberwolves defense and he was not able to get any easy baskets. Red Deer fought hard the entire game but the deficit was out of reach. UNBC was led by the hot shooting of guard Jose Araujo who is one of many Timberwolves players with the ability to score in bunches. UNBC will move on to the semifinals tomorrow and Red Deer will now play in the bronze medal round.
Game 2: #4 Mohawk Mountaineers vs. #5 Vanier Cheetahs
NPH Top Performers
Mohawk
- Andrew Cicuttin- , 31pts, 11 rbs
Vanier
- Ben Millaud-Meunier Vanier, 27 pts, 8 ast
The CCAA will have a new champion this year as the #4 Mohawk Mountaineers defeated defending champions an #5 seed Vanier Cheetahs in a thrilling back and forth game. This was an up-tempo game from start to finish with both teams coming out on a furious pace and were able to sustain it for the entire game.
Mohawk would win the game by a score of 101-96 but it was not easy by any means. Each that Mohawk built comfort, Vanier would respond with a run of their own to close the gap.
Vanier looked intent from the beginning of the game on trying to slow down CCAA All-Canadian Aminu Bello who began the game with a quick start.
Quickly after Vanier made defensive adjustments, Mohawk answered with the inside presence of Andrew Cicuttini who displaed absolute dominance the entire game. Cicuttini imposed his will on both ends of the floor, finishing with 34 points and 11rebounds for Mohawk.
The majority of Mountaineer runs would be answered by Vanier guard Ben Millaud-Meunier who showed why he is NCAA bound next season (St. Francis) displaying a solid all-around game that lead the Cheetahs in almost all of their offensive categories.
Nonetheless, his efforts would fall short in the loss.
Mohawk will now move on to play UNBC in the first semifinal game tomorrow. Vanier will move on to play Red Deer College in the bronze medal round.
Game 3: #2 Mount Royal University vs. #7 Mount Saint Vincent University
NPH Top Performers
Mount Royal University
- Nick Loewen– 21pts, 5rbs
- Kevin Ollivierre- 7pts, 14rbs
MSVU
- Todd Williams- 17 points, 4rbs, 4ast
The #2 seed Mount Royal University Cougars held on to win by a score of 81-70 despite a valiant effort from #7 MSVU in the third game of the day.
MSVU held a slim lead after the first quarter but Mount Royal would charge back and would never look back.
Nick Lowen lead on the offesnvie end while Kevin Ollivierre was a man on the boards, snatching 14 rebouonds in the victory.
The second quarter was the turning point in the game as the Cougars would go on a furious run capped by hitting three 3-pointers in a row. At the half Mount Royal would lead 40-36.
The momentum for the Cougars would serve the attack in the third quarter as they would push their lead to 61-44. Mount Royal was on fire from beyond the are, a major factor in this contest.
MSVU would fight back getting as close as eight points but it would not be enough. Numerous empty trips on offense would cost Saint Vincent’s University a chance to close the gap. MSVU gave a very solid effort but the Cougars proved to be too strong.
Game 4: #3 Collège Ahuntisc Indiens vs. #6 St Thomas University Tommies
NPH Top Performers
College Ahuntisc
- Frederic Dure- 27 pts, 3rbs, 3ast
- Jonathan Tshibuy- 19pts, 10rbs
- Max Joseph- 15pts, 5rbs, 6ast
- Corey DeLong- 16 pts
The final game of the night had Quebec champions Collège Ahuntisc Indiens defeating the St Thomas Tommies 80-70.
Collège Ahuntisc was led by rookie point guard Frederic Dure who on his first appearance on the national stage turned in a big game. Dure led his team with 27 points in the victory and was relentless the entire game. Jonathan Tshibuy also had himself a strong game recording a double-double, and Max Joseph playing the catalyst role.
The first quarter was closely contested with both teams trading runs, but the Indiens were able to hold a two point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was much the same as the first with both teams unable to make much separation in the game.
St Thomas Tommies held a slim lead at the end of the first half.
In the second half, Ahuntisc took control of the game going on a large run that saw them take the lead and extend it to eight points. The Indiens run was highlighted by a Frederic Dure dunk.
Ahuntisc would use their run to lead them to victory and will now face Mt. Royal in the second semi-final while STU will play MSVU in the bronze medal round.
