Calgary, AB – The St. Clair College Men’s Basketball team had a good start Sunday in their Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship bronze medal game at the University of Calgary Jack Simpson Gymnasium but could not hold on and fell to Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo, BC) by a score of 109-100.
The Saints looked as if they would run away with the bronze after doubling up a stunned VIU squad 26-13 in the first quarter. VIU found their stride in the second frame, but St. Clair continued to add to their lead which was as much as 21 points on the strength of five triples and entered halftime up 58-39. The second half started with a large VIU run and midway through third quarter the Saints were in a one possession game. The lead changed hands a few times before St. Clair was able to hold on to a slim 75-74 advantage entering the final frame. VIU continued to stay hot and after shooting 63.6% from the floor in the third nearly equaled that in the fourth at nearly a 62% clip. The Saints could not keep pace after surrendering 35 points in both the third and fourth quarters apiece.
St. Clair did outscore VIU 29-2 in points off the bench but allowed 60 points in the paint in addition to 10 triples. The Saints shot 44% overall for the game while VIU converted 53% and an uncharacteristic 16 turnovers led to 21 points.
Shakael Pryce (Pickering, ON) was named the Player of the Game for the Saints after scoring 32 points to go with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Jalen Harmon (Ypsilanti, MI) played his final collegiate game and scored 13 points while adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists for St. Clair. Terrence Williams (Windsor, ON) and Darnelle Peddie (Pickering, ON) each chipped in with 10 points apiece for the Saints.
VIU Player of the Game honours went to Landon Radliff (Richland, WA) who scored 31 points to go with 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
St. Clair’s Chad Vincent-Simon (Scarborough, ON) was named a First-Team Championship All-Star after averaging over 20 points per game in the tournament.
Another honour was given to a Saints player during the concluding presentations when Jalen Harmon (Ypsilanti, MI) was named with the Duncan McCallum Exemplary Leadership Award recipient.
The award is given to an individual or a team at CCAA National Championship who demonstrate leadership behaviors that set an example for others to follow. Recipients must have respect for the rules and spirit of the rules of the sport in pursuit of excellence, respect the officials and show acceptance of their decisions, respect the opponent, exhibit sportsmanlike behaviors and maintain dignity under all circumstances. It is named in honour of CCAA Hall of Famer Duncan McCallum who was the former Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball team at Langara College while also serving as the school’s Athletic Director.
Visit www.saintsathletics.ca for more information.