Joey Haywood’s Saint Mary’s Huskies have been trying to gel on the fly this season after the graduation of Mark Mclaughlin and Ike Ichegbu, and the influx of talented newcomers like Tony Fassett. Haywood has taken in upon himself to keep the team afloat in the AUS by leading the nation in scoring while Ross Quackenbush tries to right the good ship Husky.

Simon Farine’s Tigers have added some talented pieces to a talented core of returnees and are loaded for a championship run. John Campbell thinks his team can compete for an AUS championship this season and is counting on newcomers like Alex Arthur and Juleous Grant to figure prominently in the chase.

The Tigers and Huskies meet for the second time this season tonight at the Tower at 8:00 on

www.live.haligonia.ca. The Huskies won the first game in November in a thriller, 92-86, behind thirty points from Haywood. The victory was the Huskies first of the season and the Tiger’s first loss.

Since then the Huskies have split six games while the Tigers have won three of four. Dalhousie enters tonight’s game ranked #10 in the country (tied with Toronto) and sitting in second place in the AUS. Despite their struggles, the Huskies are in fourth place and just two points behind Saint Francis Xavier for third.

Haywood is averaging 27.6 ppg and was selected as CIS Player of the Week in early January by virtue of his brilliant performance versus UPEI at the Tower. Haywood scored 45 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and added 8 assists in leading the Huskies to an overtime victory.

Tony Fassett has developed into a secondary offensive threat averaging 16 ppg and 6 rpg. Returnee Demittri Harris has averaged 11 ppg for a Huskies team that is still learning how to play together with six new faces on the roster. The team’s lack of cohesiveness has been particularly glaring on the defensive end where they are surrendering 90 points a game.

The Tigers have upgraded their team athleticism and depth off the bench but are still trying to define roles and establish rotation. Fifth year senior Joe Schow has been an anchor in the post averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds a game. Juleous Grant has averaged 11 ppg and given the Tigers an athletic swingman who can match the athleticism of the Cape Breton Capers and Saint Francis Xavier X-Men.

Bill McLean will have the call from the Tower.

Meet the Tigers
Record- 6 Wins, 2 Losses – 20 points
Last Game – 77-57 Win over UPEI

Simon Farine– Fifth year guard averages 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
Joe Schow– Tenacious competitor averages 14 points and 9 rebounds in the post.
Juleous Grant– Athletic, sweet shooting newcomer averaging 10.5 ppg.

Ladies and Gentlemen….Your Saint Mary’s Huskies
Record- 4 Wins, 7 Losses- 14 points.
Last Game- 88-84 loss to UPEI

Joey Haywood– Nation’s leading scorer averaging 27 ppg on 57 % shooting from the floor.
Tony Fassett– First year player averages 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Demittri Harris– Sparkplug and streaky, averages 11 points per game.

Huskies Notes
After struggling early in the season, Simon Marr is increasing his scoring averages. The big post is averaging 7.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg. Marr had 15 points and 5 rebounds in Saturday’s loss to UPEI…….Harry Ezenibe has been solid off the bench averaging 8 ppg and 6 rpg…..this is only the Huskies fourth home game this season and they enter with a 2-1 record at the Tower. They’ll play four home games in the next 8 days……The Huskies are second in scoring offence (88 ppg) but second to last in scoring defense (90 ppg)…..The Huskies are in last place in turnover margin with a -4.0.