GAME RECAP - Quarterfinal #1: Huskies hang on for the win in a thriller to kickoff Final 6
Saint Mary's 67, UPEI 64

(Nick Pearce Photo)

March 8, 2007 (HALIFAX, NS) - The opening game of the 2007 Atlantic University Sport Men's Basketball playoffs featured the #4-seeded UPEI Panthers and the #5-seeded Saint Mary's Huskies.

Both teams tied in the standings following the conclusion of regular season play and this contest seemed destined to come down to the wire as well. The opening minutes of the first half were dominated by the Panthers, who were shooting 70% from the floor and had held SMU without a field goal until the 5-minute mark. UPEI opened with a 17-to-5 run, with second team all-star Sherone Edwards and first team all-star Doug McKinney each showcasing why they deserve all-star recognition.

The end of the half belonged to the Huskies. With UPEI's Edwards on the bench after his second foul, SMU went on an impressive 16-to-4 run to end the half up by five points at 32-27.

The second half featured more of what the fans expected; two evenly matched teams going toe-to-toe, shot-for-shot. For every Panthers rally, it seemed the Huskies had an answer. Down to the final minute, the Panthers made one final rally, narrowing the gap to a single point with 1.7 seconds remaining. A couple of clutch free throws by Mark Maclaughlin sealed the deal for the Huskies as a UPEI desperation 3-pointer from well over half was short of the basket.

For the Panthers Doug Mckinney had 22 points and 13 boards, while Sherone Edwards added 14 points, 10 boards in their last career university games. For the Huskies, player of the game Ike Uchegbu had 27 points and 11 boards, with Mark McLaughlin contributing 23 points, including a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line.

The Huskies will now await the result of tonight's second quarterfinal to see who they play next. With an Acadia win, the Huskies will face the the #1-seeded Cape Breton CAPERS, while a Dalhousie win will see the Huskies take on the StFX X-Men.

Game recap by Shaun Gillis