The Holland Hurricanes men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted the Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics this weekend at the Holland College Centre for Community Engagement (CCE) in Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) regular season play.  The Mystics claimed victory in both games on Saturday with the ‘Canes claiming victories in both games on Sunday.

In the women’s game on Saturday, the ‘Canes fell behind 27-18 after the first quarter but would trim the deficit in the second to 40-33 at the half.

The ‘Canes would continue to cut into the lead in the third, trailing 54-50 entering the final quarter.

The Mystics would hold on to earn the eventual 72-63 win.

Ashley Plaggenhoef led the way offensively for the Hurricanes with a game-high 16 points with Sophie Atkinson adding 13 points and Kassandra Little recording 12. Both Atkinson and Little led the way in rebounds with ten each.

Aki Kobayashi came close to a triple-double with nine points, nine rebounds, nine assists, four steals, and three blocks in the game for Holland College. Courtney Cain-Nordin added eight points, four rebounds, and three steals off the bench.

On Sunday, the ‘Canes scored the first seven points of the game and led 21-17 after one quarter of play. The Mystics would run away with the second quarter forcing the ‘Canes to fight out of a 48-40 half-time deficit.

The women’s Hurricanes would be able to do so, winning the third and fourth quarters for an 82-74 win.

Kokayashi had a game-high 25 points to lead the offense while also recording seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Cain-Nordin had 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks while Plaggenhoef had 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Atkinson came close to another double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds while Little was also close to a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds.

Following the weekend play, the ‘Canes sit at 9-3 on the season and are tied for second place in the ACAA standings with the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies; both teams are hot on the heels of the Mystics who now sit at 10-2.

In the men’s game on Saturday, the ‘Canes took a 24-16 lead after a quarter and a 42-35 lead at the half but would watch it slowly slip away in the second half of the game.

The Mystics would cut into the lead in the third quarter before winning the fourth by 12, sending the ‘Canes to a 94-85 loss. It was the ‘Canes first loss at the Holland College CCE since November 2013, a run of 64 straight games.

Adrian Thompson had 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Hurricanes to lead all players in both categories. Nathan Anderson also hauled in 14 rebounds along with eight points, two assists, and four blocks.

Jordan Holness had 22 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals while Jayden McMullen came off the bench with 17 points.

On Sunday, the ‘Canes trailed 23-20 after the first quarter but a strong second frame saw them take a 44-37 half-time lead.

The Mystics would close the gap in the second half as the ‘Canes would lead 66-63 after three.

Ultimately the Hurricanes won the fourth quarter and earned the important 93-82 victory.

Holness led all scorers with 29 points for the ‘Canes along with nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block. McMullen added 22 points and three rebounds in the win.

Anderson recorded another double-double on the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds along with two assists and two blocks. Thompson chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals off the bench. 

John Alex Vos had a career-high ten rebounds while also adding six points and one steal.

The men’s Hurricanes now sit at 9-3 on the year and are tied with the Mount Allison University Mounties and STU Tommies for top spot in the conference standings.  The Mystics are now 7-5 on the year and sit in fourth place.

The men’s and women’s ‘Canes are back in action next Sunday, February 9 when the travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia to take on the University of King’s College (UKC) Blue Devils.

The next home games for the Hurricanes take place on Friday, February 14 when they host the Crandall University Chargers at the Holland College CCE.

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

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

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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