Memorial loses, gains playoff berth
Sea-Hawks make post-season for first time in nearly a decade
It was an ugly way to make the playoffs, but when you haven’t been to the post-season since the 2005-06 season, the Memorial Sea-Hawks men’s basketball team will take it.
The Sea-Hawks (6-12) lost 7156 Sunday to Acadia Axemen at the Field House, but a 98-69 win over the Axemen the night before provided the cushion the home team needed to earn a spot in the Atlantic University Sport playoffs.
Acadia has a four-point game remaining against the University of Prince Edward Island, but even if the Axemen win, they’ll only tie Memorial if the SeaHawks fail to win another game, and MUN has the advantage in points scored head-to-head.
The Sea-Hawks finish the regular season with a pair of games next weekend against first-place University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds in Fredericton, N.B.
“They (the Axemen) had to beat us by more than 29 points, so we’re in,” said a relieved MUN coach Peter Benoite after Sunday’s game.
MUN’s effort Sunday was in contrast to the team’s all-out, everyone-in output on Saturday.
“We didn’t have a rhythm today as opposed to Saturday. It was like we were in quicksand and couldn’t move,” said Benoite.
Caleb Gould paced MUN with 12 points Sunday, while Noel Moffatt scored 10, one more than Vasilije Curcic. Rhys Larry led Acadia (5-14) with 17 points.
“We just played a little bit too tight. We just didn’t have it today, but we’ll bounce back from that. At the end of the day, we’re in,” said Benoite, who will taste playoff action for the first time since he took over the head coaching duties.
“I’m happy about it and I’m happy with the way the guys are playing overall.”
MUN took care of business Saturday night in a game that saw then lead by as much as 4820 margin in the second half. The Sea-Hawks were led by the dynamic duo of Curcic and Gould. Curcic sank 29 points with nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Gould contributed 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Daniel Foo chipped in with 22 points for the Sea-Hawks, who got 14 from Davion Parnsalu. Sean Stoqua paced Acadia with 19 points.