Saints split back-to-back games at home

By Justin Prince

After starting the weekend with a win against a tough opponent, the St. Clair Saints men’s basketball team were blown out in their second game to fall to 2-2 on the season.

The Saints came into the weekend with a 1-1 record after   losing to the Sheridan Bruins and beating Humber College Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 respectively.  The Saints played the undefeated Mohawk College Mountaineers and the 0-2 Redeemer University-College Royals Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.

The Saints started off their first game well thanks to two three-pointers by Stephan Gray in the first quarter.

The team made eight of 16 three-point attempts in the first half, but the Mountaineers kept the game close throughout the second quarter due in part to 18 Saints turnovers and 11 points from the free throw line.  The game was tied 36 a piece at halftime.

“Well (the turnovers) are something we have to work on to make sure that we take care of the ball and value the ball,” said Saints head coach Matt Devin. “It’s something we go through in practice every single day and it’s just something that will be a work in progress for us.”

The Mountaineers started to take control in the third quarter as their starters silenced the crowd with two big dunks by Xzennis Brereton and Matt Fennell.  The Saints responded with a few hard fouls by Jamaal Thompson and centre Isiah McConney.

The Saints took back the lead early in the fourth quarter thanks to a 8-2 run to start the quarter.  The Royals kept it close by attracting multiple fouls down the stretch, keeping it within three points with six minutes to go.

Matei Nuna gave the Saints an edge in the final five minutes of the game on offense as he hit three three-pointers and four free-throws scoring 13 points.  He led his team offensively scoring 24 points in the game to help win 79-74.

“I’m not very proud of my performance and that because although I had all those points, I had nine turnovers,” said Nuna.  “But I’m just happy we got it through.”

On Nov. 2, the Royals started on a 13-2 run after a weak Saints start on offense.  The Saints answered back with a 17-7 run to end the first quarter.

In the first half, Royals starter Benn Ibrahim scored 13 points while shooting 50 per cent from the field.  Meanwhile, the Saints offense slowed down, making four shots in the second quarter.  The Royals held a 39-31 lead at halftime.

The Royals started to pull away in the second half as A.J. Manguerra scored eight of his 12 points in the third quarter.  The Royals also forced eight Saints turnovers in the second half.

Alex Temesy was the only player with double-digit points and shots for the Saints with 15 points while shooting five of 17.

“I was just trying to get something going, just trying to carry the team somehow,” said Temesy.  “I would take it on myself as I did force up some shots, but I also missed shots that I know I can make and should have made.  That’s on me.”

Ibrahim finished with 30 points while his teammate Calvin Turnbull had 14 points.  The Royals shot 45 per cent in the second half to win 82-66.

“(Ibrahim) was a guy that we were focused on in practice and in our scouting report,” said Devin.  “(Ibrahim) and Turnbull were the two guys we didn’t want to beat us and obviously (Ibrahim) did.”

Devin said the Saints need to work on mentally being there against every team they play.

“It’s a tough league.  There are really no easy opponents,” said Devin.  “You have to be there focused every game and today I don’t think we were.”