Cougars Can't Gain Ground on Royals
GAME 1: SAULT COUGARS vs REDEEMER ROYALS
ANCASTER, ON – The first game back from the winter break was a tightly contested one for the Cougars to begin the game, with the first 5 minutes of the game having a 12-9 score in favour of the Royals. The game opened up after that 5-minute mark and Redeemer would knock down five 3's in the 1st to outscore the Cougars 11-2 down the stretch and end the 1st quarter with a 23-11 lead.
Redeemer's offensive output would improve in the 2nd quarter as they shot 50% from the field and went 9 of 11 in free throws. The Cougars did their best to keep the game within reach with 8 points in the quarter by Brian Senecal and 6 from Kevon Clarke leaving the score 55-25 Redeemer at half.
Like the Royals' offense, the Cougars offense improved as the game wore on with Jaylyne Moore-Tucker stepping up in the 3rd quarter with 9 points and Kevon Clarke continuing to be a presence around the rim with 4 more points and 3 rebounds.
The final frame had the starting lineup for the Cougars spread the ball around which saw 4 of 5 starters contributing with points, but unfortunately for the Cougars the Royals offense was too much to overcome and took the game with a final score of 109-65.
Cougars Scoring: Jaylyne Moore-Tucker (19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks), Kevon Clarke (15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block), Brian Senecal (12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal).
GAME 2: SAULT COUGARS vs REDEEMBER ROYALS
ANCASTER, ON – The Cougars were looking to put the 44-point loss behind them as they played game 2 of the weekend series against the Royals on Saturday. The Royals got off to a hot start in this one hitting three 3's to the Cougars one field goal for the 9-2 lead out of the gate. The Royals continued to knock down shots in the 1st making the Cougars play catch up for the rest of the quarter. Simon Wal and Jorrel Grant scored 10 of the Cougars 18 points in the first but found themselves down 32-18 going into the 2nd.
Both teams saw a dip in their offensive output in the 2nd quarter with the Cougars shooting 28.6% from the field and Redeemer shooting 34.6%. The Royals would out rebound the Cougars 17-6 in the frame as both teams attempted to suppress the other. Kevon Clarke would lead the Sault with 4 points in the quarter and the Sault would go down 53-29 into the half.
The second half was more of an even affair with the Cougars not only outscoring the Royals in the half but out rebounding them as well pulling in 26 from the glass to the Royals 17. Simon Wal showed up in a big way in the 3rd with 11 points while Jaylyne Moore-Tucker and Kevon Clarke took care of most of the rebounding for the Cougars.
Despite scoring 32 points in the final quarter; including another 10 points from Simon Wal and 5 from newcomer Jorrel Grant, the overall consistency from the Royals put the game out of reach for the Sault with Redeemer coming out on top 99-79.
Cougars Scoring: Simon Wal (30 points, 4 rebounds), Kevon Clarke (14 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist), Stephen Miller (9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals).