The Memorial Sea-Hawks will have star guard Nathan Barker back in the lineup this weekend, which is good news to a team that’s looking to snap a four-game losing streak.
The Sea-Hawks are in Charlottetown, P.E.I. for a pair of must-win games against the UPEI Panthers.
The Sea-Hawks are 4-10, and hold the sixth and final playoff position in the Atlantic University Sport conference. They have a 10-point lead on UPEI and Cape Breton Universoty, both 2-12, which might seem like a lot.
However, the two games against UPEI are both four-point games, meaning a UPEI sweep brings the Panthers to within two points of the Sea-Hawks.
Barker, the second-year sensation from Massey Drive, NL, missed last weekend’s pair of losses to the Acadia Axemen after suffering an injury in practice.
Naturally, MUN is happy to have his 17.9 points per game (eighth overall in the AUS) and 31 minutes of playing time per game back in the lineup.
Games are set for tonight and Sunday afternoon.
The Sea-Hawks’ women’s team is also in P.E.I. this weekend for a series with the Panthers.
Both MUN and UPEI are 7-7 this season, and each game this weekend is worth four points. The Sea-Hawks are coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Acadia Axewomen last weekend.
Brooklyn Wright was outstanding against Acadia, averaging 24.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. She’ll need to continue her strong play, especially with star guard Sydney Stewart still out of the Memorial lineup.
VOLLEYBALL
MUN opened a three-game series in Halifax Friday night against the top-ranked Dalhousie Tigers.
The Sea-Hawks were on a scheduled break last weekend, but clinched a playoff berth two weeks ago on home court, taking three games from the UNB Varsity Reds. MUN is fourth in the AUS at 8-6.
The Tigers were running away with the conference at 13-1 entering Friday’s games.