Highlanders lose second straight in setback to Miracles
The Cape Breton Highlanders suffered a 120-95 loss to the Moncton Miracles in National Basketball League of Canada action Sunday at the Moncton Coliseum.
The setback came despite a strong game by guard Hank Thorns, who led Cape Breton’s attack with 25 points. Thorns shot 5-for-17 from the field and finished 12-for-15 from the charity stripe. He also added seven assists and two steals.
Chadrack Lufile had a big game on the glass. He gobbled up a game-high 21 boards, 14 of which came at the defensive end of the court. He also scored 13 points. Booker Woodfox netted 13 as well, shooting 3-for-7 beyond the arc.
Chad Frazier scored 12 and Austin Witter added 10 in the loss, the second straight for the Highlanders. They fell to 7-16 and last in the five-team Atlantic Division.
Melvin Johnson III had huge game for the Miracles, leading all scorers with 41 points. Brandan Kearney followed with 15 and Tyrrel Tate added 14 points. The Miracles led the game 53-32 at halftime, and improved to 9-16 for fourth place in the Atlantic.
Saturday at Centre 200 in Sydney, the Highlanders lost a close one, falling 103-100 to the Saint John Riptide.
Woodfox led the way for Cape Breton with 19 points, while both Billy Rush and Anthony Walker scored 16 apiece. Witter and Deronn Scott chipped in 10 points each. Rush paced the Highlanders on the glass with 10 rebounds.
Gabe Freeman drained a game-high 31 points and 13 rebounds for Saint John. Haakim Johnson netted 17 and Olumuyiwa Famutimi chipped in 14. Saint John (16-12) led 52-50 at the half.
The Highlanders will look to get back in the win column tonight when they play the Miracles in the second half of the back-to-back set at the Moncton Coliseum.