NEW WATERFORD, N.S. — The Winston Churchill Bulldogs took advantage of the Breton Education Centre Bears’ rough fourth quarter on Tuesday.
The Lethbridge, Alta., school scored 26 points in the final quarter, while taking advantage of BEC turnovers to lead them to a 77-75 victory over the host Bears at the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic, Tuesday night.
Kevin Davies had a team-high 21 points for the Bulldogs, while Eric Delauw and Polo Los Banes both chipped in with 13 points apiece.
Ethan MacNeil had a game-high 24 points for the Bears, while Grade 12 Aaron MacLean recorded 20 points, and Conor Chiasson notched 17 points.
BEC barely trailed in the game and carried an 18-12 lead after the first quarter, before taking a 40-35 lead into halftime. The Bears were also in control after three quarters, 60-51, until the Bulldogs clawed their way back and eventually won the game.
Winston Churchill improves to 1-0 in the tournament, while BEC falls to 0-2.
In girls’ action, the Breton Education Centre Bears had their way with the Northumberland Nighthawks, defeating the Westville school 65-21.
Abby MacNeil powered the offense for the Bears with 18 points, while Madison Bresowar and Kelsie Neville chipped in with nine points apiece.
Avery MacDonald recorded eight points for the Nighthawks, while Brooke Reid had five points. Jesse MacKay and Jesse Maxno both dropped three points apiece.
In other action, the Sydney Academy Wildcats (1-1) picked up their first win of the Coal Bowl Classic with a 72-62 win over Middleton Monarchs (0-2).
Adam Callaghan led the way for the Wildcats with 24 points, while Jhermaine Olat had 14 points. Morgan Ross and Max Kearns also found the score sheet, both netting eight points.
Noah Bezanson had a team-high 19 points for the Middleton school, while Keigan Neilson had 12 points, and Tyler Baker notched 11 points.
The Northumberland Nighthawks improved their record to 2-0 at the tournament with a 74-41 win over the Montague Vikings (0-2)
Raine Decoste had a game-high 15 points for the Nighthawks, while Cohen Ross had 11 points, and Noah Spalding notched eight points.
Jack Munro netted nine points for the Vikings, while Sam MacKenzie chipped in with eight points, and Sawyer Ryan recorded six points.
In the first game of the day, the Silverthorn Collegiate Spartans (1-0) defeated the Bluefield Bobcats (1-1), 86-57.
Haroon Issa had a game-high 34 points for the Ontario-based Spartans. Marko Bratasevic dropped 13 points, and Peter Bursac had 10 points.
Daniel Wills found the basket for 16 points for the Bobcats, while Nic Mills buried 14 points, and Joe Bertram scored 11 points.
Action resumes on Wednesday with the Sydney Academy Wildcats playing the Northumberland Nighthawks in girls’ action at 9 a.m., before Silverthorn plays École secondaire de La Seigneurie at 11 a.m., Winston Churchill faces Juvénat Notre-Dame at 1 p.m., and Sydney Academy plays Bluefield at 3 p.m.
The unified game between BEC and Sydney Academy will be played at 5 p.m., followed by BEC and Montague at 6 p.m.
For live coverage of the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic, follow Post sports reporter Jeremy Fraser on Twitter - @CBPost_Jeremy.
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