Cougars edged by Griffins in dramatic fashion

Max Campbell, Mount Royal Cougars Sports Information

CALGARY, AB – The Mount Royal Cougars were forced to settle for a weekend split versus the MacEwan Griffins after a 78-73 defeat at Kenyon Court on Saturday night. Notching his second consecutive double-double was Brett Layton, chipping in 12 points and 12 rebounds for Mount Royal. However, a game-high 30 points from Denzel James – 20 of which coming in the first two quarters – proved too much to overcome.

Layton opened the scoring as he slipped past a defender with his back to the basket. Shortly thereafter, a 10-6 advantage for the Cougars was established as James Lefebvre and Glen Yang also managed to put points on the board. The two teams combined to shoot 0-7 from the three-point line in the first quarter of play.

A slick spin move in traffic from Chris Mooney enabled MacEwan to take a one-point lead over Mount Royal with just over five minutes to go in the opening half. Then, left all alone from half-court, James jammed home two points for the Griffins. Although the Cougars outrebounded their opposition by a 20-15 margin, eight of which coming on the offensive end, they headed to the locker room trailing 45-36.

Stealing the ball from and running the length of the court in the third was Neil Phillip, who then dished the ball to Derek Wolf for a wide-open lay-in. The two points off the turnover moved Mount Royal to within one possession of MacEwan. 

In the fourth, Mooney abolished Wolf's breakaway opportunity, who was assessed a flagrant foul as the 6'2" Cougars guard fell to the floor. Tied at 73 apiece with 40 seconds left, the Griffins would ice the game from the free-throw line, with Ryan Coleman knocking down both attempts in the final seconds.

Failing to surpass MacEwan in the divisional standings, the Cougars now have six wins against 10 losses. MacEwan's record stands at 7-9.

Mount Royal will soon prepare to hit the road when they face the UNBC Timberwolves in six day's time.

Next week will also see the UBC Okanagan Heat welcome the Griffins to Kelowna for a pair of clashes.