Highlanders drop fifth straight game in loss to Hurricanes
A 28-point performance by Chad Frazier wasn’t enough, as the Cape Breton Highlanders lost their fifth straight National Basketball League of Canada game in a 112-96 setback to the Halifax Hurricanes at Centre 200, Sunday.
Frazier led all scorers and added eight assists and five boards, shooting 11-for-16 from the floor. The Highlanders got off to a good start against the Hurricanes in front of 1,412 fans, up 26-22 after the opening quarter. But Halifax rebounded and took a 62-56 advantage into the half.
The Hurricanes pulled away in the third quarter, capped off by a three-pointer at the buzzer by Joey Haywood. Halifax held a lead as large as 18 in the fourth.
Charles Mann Jr. scored 18 for Cape Breton in the loss. Anthony Walker followed with 15 and Chadrack Lufile added 10. Billy Rush led the Highlanders on the glass with nine rebounds in his debut. Rookie guard Jarryn Skeete played in his first game since he broke his hand on Dec. 28, and contributed five points.
Cape Breton’s record fell to 6-14, and into tie for last place in the five-team Atlantic Division with the Moncton Miracles. “We’ve had a lot of injuries, so it’s tough, so hopefully we can get healthy, that’s the first thing,” said Highlanders head coach Ben Resner. “We have some good practice time and hopefully, we can integrate the new guys. That’s part of it, guys have to learn how to play with each other and guys have to learn what we’re trying to do.
“Hopefully, we have some time here we can turn this thing around halfway through the season.”
For the defending league champion Hurricanes, Antoine Mason scored 22 points, Renaldo Dixon netted 20 and added 13 boards, Haywood scored 19 and C.J. Washington contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds. Ta’Quan Zimmerman rounded out the balanced attack with 12 points.
Halifax (21-5) sits atop the Atlantic Division standings and has won four in a row.
The Highlanders get this week to prepare for their next game at home against the Miracles on March 12 at Centre 200. Tipoff is at 3 p.m.
NOTES: Sunday’s game was postponed for about 45 minutes after the Hurricanes were delayed due to weather.