Huskies outlast Panthers in 81-75 thriller

HALIFAX, N.S. – Saint Mary's guards Jayrell Diggs and Jasha'jaun Downey combined for 47 points – including 26 in the second half – leading the Huskies to a thrilling 81-75 win over the UPEI Panthers on Friday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, N.S.

The game started with a lay-in from Huskies senior guard Jayrell Diggs (East Preston, NS), followed by a three-pointer from forward Micah Stewart (Stevensville, ON) to put the Huskies ahead 7-2 early. The Panthers responded with a three-pointer from guard Owen Smith (Harvey York Co., NB) but back-to-back buckets from Diggs and guard Dawson John (Brantford, ON) extend the Huskies lead to 16-9.

The Panthers received a boost off the bench from guard Tarrence Booker (New Westminster, BC) who scored their final seven points of the quarter, with his late jumper cutting the lead to 18-16 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Jasha'jaun Downey (North Preston, NS) and Diggs came out hot, combining for the Huskies first 10 points of the frame as the home team took a 28-21 lead after a Downey three-ball. UPEI guard Kyree Thompson (North Preston, NS) was able to knock down six points in the quarter, but another jumper from Downey – two of his eight second quarter points – extended the lead to 40-33, before another and-one lay-in from Tarrence Booker cut the lead to 40-36 heading into the half.

Jasha'jaun Downey led the Huskies with 11 in the first half, while Kyree Thompson and Tarrence Booker each had 10 for the Panthers.

The Huskies led the entire first half, but the Panthers quickly tied it up at the second quarter, with a three from Kyree Thompson tying the score at 44-44, before a jump shot from Owen Smith gave the Panthers their first lead of the night at 46-45. That set off a back-and-forth for the rest of the quarter, with the teams exchanging leads five times, before a Diggs three, followed by a score and steal gave the Huskies a 54-52 lead heading into the final frame.

Saint Mary's momentum continued into the fourth quarter, with a Dawson John lay-in, followed by a Diggs steal and feed to John for another two to open up a 58-52 advantage. But the Panthers came roaring back, with a quick 10-0 run, capped by a big three-pointer from Thompson to put the visitors ahead 62-58. Jasha'jaun Downey responded with four straight points to tie it at 62-62, but Owen Smith and Abilash Surendran (Toronto, ON) scored back-to-back buckets to put the Panthers back up by four 66-62.

Downey responded again, making two free-throws followed by a three-pointer off the Diggs assist to restore the SMU lead at 67-66, but Smith hit two more free-throws to restore the Panthers lead. With the Huskies trailing 70-69, Dawson John found Micah Stewart for the big man's third three-pointer of the game, putting the Huskies ahead 72-70 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

That set off a 7-0 Huskies run, with Dawson John and Jayrell Diggs each scoring to extend the lead to 76-70. Thompson hit a trio of free-throws to bring the lead within three, but Jayrell Diggs hit a dagger three, followed by a late lay-up from Devawn White (Montreal, QC) to secure the Huskies 81-75 victory.

Jayrell Diggs was named Player of the Game for the Huskies, scoring 12 of his 22 points in the second half, shooting an efficient 10/14 from the floor, 2/4 from three and adding four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Jasha'jaun Downey poured in a team-high 25 points, including 10/14 from the free-throw line, while Dawson John added 13 points, Micah Stewart added nine points on 3/4 shooting from beyond the arc, and Devawn White stuffed the stat sheet with five points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

The Panthers were led in defeat by Kyree Thompson's 25 points and seven rebounds, while Tarrence Booker and Owen Smith each scored 13 off the UPEI bench.

The Saint Mary's win snapped a four-game win streak and improved their record to 3-10 on the season, while UPEI falls to 5-10. The two teams will meet again on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 3 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics