The Holland Hurricanes men’s and women’s basketball teams opened their 2019-20 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) regular seasons on Saturday in Halifax, Nova Scotia as they took on the Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics.

The women’s Hurricane eventually fell to MSVU, 90-77, while the ‘Canes men picked up an 88-66 win.

In the women’s game, the ‘Canes took a slim 22-21 lead after the first quarter but after a strong second from the Mystics, the ‘Canes trailed 42-33 at halftime.

In the second half, the Hurricanes would fall behind by as much as 20 points before a strong end to the game closed the gap as they ultimately fell by 13 points.

Statistically for the ‘Canes, Sophie Atkinson led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds with Ashley Plaggenhoef adding 16 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Atkinson’s nine rebounds was tied with Kassie Little for the team lead in the game.

Courtney Kane-Rissling added 13 points and eight assists off the bench for the Hurricanes while Aki Kobayashi added ten points.

The ‘Canes, 0-1, return home next weekend to take on the University of New Brunswick-Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves, 2-0, in the team’s home opener at the Holland College Centre for Community Engagement; tip-off is scheduled for 4pm.

In the men’s game, the Hurricanes got off to a slow start and found themselves down 22-17 at the end of the first quarter. An improved second quarter propelled the Hurricanes to the 44-29 at the half.

The Mystics would trim the lead to ten entering the final quarter but the Hurricanes would ultimately walk away with the 22-point victory.

Jordan Holness led the Hurricanes with 35 points in the game; this is the sixth most ever recorded by a Hurricanes men’s basketball player in a single game.  Holness also added 11 rebounds, three assists, and four steals.

Jayden McMullen would score 18 points with Nathan Anderson adding eight points and 11 rebounds for the ‘Canes.

The Hurricanes, 1-0, will play their home opener next Saturday, November 9, at the Holland College Centre for Community Engagement, when they take on the UNBSJ Seawolves, 1-1, at 6pm.

For more information on 2019-20 ACAA basketball, visit www.acaa.ca.

Connect with the basketball Hurricanes by visiting www.twitter.com/caneswbball and www.twitter.com/canesmbball.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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