Axemen fall to Capers in regular-season finale
Munro leads Acadia with 14 points as team turns focus to AUS quarterfinal
SYDNEY, N.S. — The Acadia Axemen fell 87-68 to the Cape Breton Capers on Saturday night at Sullivan Fieldhouse.
Acadia recorded 10 steals, but Cape Breton's strong shooting and second-half surge proved decisive. With a third-place finish in the regular season, the Axemen will now play in the AUS championship quarterfinal on Friday night.
Kyle Munro led Acadia with 14 points, including four three-pointers, and added three steals. Robbie Grant finished with 12 points, two assists and three offensive rebounds. Donovan Reid scored eight points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting night and recorded two blocks. Gabe Davignon added 11 points and seven rebounds, including three offensive boards.
Acadia opened the game with an early lead after Reid scored 13 seconds into play. Cape Breton answered to tie the game at 6-6 before Davignon hit a three to restore the lead. The Capers responded late in the quarter, taking a 17-16 advantage on a three-pointer by Tafarian Black. Cape Breton held a 25-23 lead at the end of the opening quarter after a late jumper by Oroma Bongomin.
Cape Breton extended its lead early in the second quarter. Stefan Anisko highlighted the run with a dunk and a three-pointer, while Liai Tong added back-to-back baskets. Acadia answered with a layup from Briawne Wilson and a three from Munro, but the Capers maintained control. Anisko's late three helped Cape Breton take a 45-35 lead into halftime.
The Capers pushed their lead to 15 midway through the third quarter on another Anisko three. Acadia responded with a three and a layup from Ryan Regault and a three from Davignon to cut the deficit. Grant's late three brought the Axemen within single digits, but Cape Breton carried a 61-52 lead into the final quarter.
Cape Breton pulled away in the fourth. Anisko opened the scoring with a three and later added a dunk and free throws as the Capers built their largest lead. Grant scored on a three and a layup for Acadia, but Cape Breton's defense forced turnovers and controlled the pace. A late three from Hazen Rossiter sealed the 87-68 victory.
Anisko led Cape Breton with 40 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 12-for-17 from the field with five three-pointers. Tong added 17 points and four blocks. Black scored 10 points with six rebounds, while Tayshaun Thomas contributed six points, eight rebounds and two steals.