Hurricanes fall to Highlanders in playoff OT thriller

SYDNEY, N.S. — A combined 51 points from Mike Poole and Terry Thomas weren't enough to put the Hurricanes over the edge in Cape Breton as they fell 105-94 to the Highlanders in the thrilling overtime playoff game on Wednesday night at Centre 200.  

Halifax started the game strong, building to a 13-point lead in the first half before Cape Breton battled back to take a one-point lead going into the break. From there the teams traded leads through the third and fourth quarters and an overtime period before the Highlanders closed the game with a double-digit lead. 

Turnovers and foul trouble got the better of Halifax late in the game. Halifax sent Cape Breton to the bonus with more than five minutes remaining in the fourth. The Highlanders shot 34 free throws in the game and converted on 23 of them.

The Hurricanes offence was led by Mike Poole who exploded in the second quarter for 13 points and finished with a team-high 28 points to go with a game-high 13 rebounds. 

Terry Thomas started the game hot with 12 first-quarter points and finished with 23 points and was a perfect five of five from the free-throw line. 

Cape Breton's Bruce Massey put his team on his back for the win. He finished with a game-high 37 points on the night and three of his teammates scored in double figures, including Jamal Reynolds with 22 points off the Highlander bench. 

The series is now tied at two games apiece and will return to Halifax for a series-deciding Game 5 of the NBL Canada Atlantic Division Semi-Finals on Saturday, April 13 at Scotiabank Centre at 7 p.m.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday, April 11 at noon at the Ticket Atlantic Box Office or Online.