Tommies Unable to Overcome Chargers Defence

Fredericton, NB - The Crandall University Chargers' pressure was too much for the St. Thomas University Tommies, defeating them for the second time this season, 89-73. The fifth-year veteran James French led the Chargers with a game high 21 points, adding seven rebounds and four steals. Tyray Cooper came off the bench for Crandall and picked up 20 points and nine rebounds, providing the energy for the Chargers bench unit. Tyrese Paul (Fredericton, NB) led the Tommies with 18 points, while Geoffrey Lavoie (Ottawa, ON) had 13 points and five rebounds. 

The Tommies had 24 turnovers, with 17 coming in the second half. STU head coach John Hickey said there was a lack of effort in the loss. 

"[The Chargers] are a good defensive team ... We gave up a lot of breakaway layups, 2-on-1s," he said. "It doesn't matter how good you are, you can't defend that." 

The two teams battled in the first 10 minutes of play, as the Tommies started the game on a 10-1 run before the Chargers would find their rhythm. A Brett Curtis three gave the Chargers all the momentum they needed, as Crandall clawed back from an early deficit. The Chargers would nail a shot at the buzzer, ending the first quarter only down by a bucket, with the Tommies leading 24-22. It would be the only quarter STU won all night. 

Crandall jumped to a 41-32 lead with three minutes remaining in the half. A drive to the rim from Paul would jumpstart a Tommies' run, as Tanner Hoyt (Grand Bay-Westfield, NB) finished the run with a layup off a Lavoie steal. STU had scored nine consecutive points to tie the game at 41 before Crandall ended the half with two free-throws, giving themselves a 43-41 lead. 

The Tommies started the second half with two straight buckets, giving themselves a two-point lead - their last lead of the game. The Chargers forced 11 turnovers in the third quarter and outplayed the Tommies for the remainder of the night, defeating STU for the second time this season. The Tommies have yet to beat the Chargers in the 2022-23 season. 

The Chargers are now 5-2 and have overtaken the Tommies for the second spot in the ACAA standings. They now only trail the 7-0 Holland College Hurricanes, who they'll play next on Jan. 13. The Tommies are now 5-3 and will play their next game the same day as Crandall, as they'll host the Mount Allison University Mystics.