Hurricanes sweep Tommies

The Holland College Hurricanes basketball teams picked up a pair of wins over the St. Thomas University Tommies Saturday on their home court.

The women’s Hurricanes were victorious over the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s fifth-ranked team 65-62 in overtime, while the men cruised to a 97-69 win.

The ’Canes and Tommies engaged in a defensive battle in the first half of the women’s contest with the Tommies taking a 24-20 lead into the break. The offences came to life in the third quarter as St. Thomas extended its lead to 43-37.

With eight minutes to play, the Tommies opened up a 13-point lead and with just over three minutes left the home side trailed 56-46.

During the final three minutes of regulation the ‘Canes went on a 12-2 run, led by Kassandra Little, who had 10 points in that time span, forcing overtime.

The ‘Canes held the Tommies to just four free throws in overtime for the three-point victory.

Little led the way with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Ashley Plaggenhoef contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Aki Kobayashi added 12 points, six rebounds and six assists and Danielle McKinnon recorded 11 points and six rebounds.

Holland College (3-1) trails the Tommies and Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics, who are both 4-1.

On the men’s side, the ’Canes held quarter leads of 20-17, 48-34 and 81-51.

Jordan Holness had a game-high 21 points for the home side along with seven rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Bryce Corless added 15 points, three rebounds and two blocks while Jayden McMullen had 14 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Josh White led the way with a gamehigh 11 rebounds. Marc Hofer added 11 points off the bench for the ‘Canes.

Holland College (3-1) leads the conference, while the Tommies are 3-2. The ‘Canes return to action Friday in Moncton against the Crandall Chargers at 6 and 8 p.m. to close out the 2019 portion of the schedule.