In the win column
Highlanders hang on to derail Express
Haakim Johnson led the Cape Breton Highlanders with a game-high 37 points as they held on for a 106-105 win over the Windsor Express in National Basketball League of Canada play Wednesday at Centre 200.
The win was the first of the season for the Highlanders, who improved to 1-5 in front of 1,001 fans. Windsor dropped to 2-2.
Johnson scored the winning basket with 12 seconds to go in the game. After a Windsor timeout, they failed to score on their final possession.
Tydran Beaty followed with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Jamal Reynolds came off the bench to score 14. Shane Osayande gobbled up a game-high 12 boards.
Cape Breton battled back to win despite trailing 56-39 at halftime.
Logan Stutz had the hot hand for the Express, scoring 24 points and adding 11 rebounds. Braylon Rayson netted 20, and both Maurice Jones and former Highlander Shaquille Keith scored 18 apiece.
The Highlanders hit the road for games Friday against the Halifax Hurricanes (2-3) and Saturday versus the Saint John Riptide (3-0).