Blue Jags Fall to Bears on Day 1 at VC Emerald Tournament

                                            Photo by Dave Edwards

By: Mike Edwards

The SMUS Blue Jags came out flat and weren't able to recover, dropping their first contest of the Vancouver College Emerald tournament to the Mt. Boucherie Bears 72-56 Thursday night. Despite hanging around on the scoreboard, the Blue Jags weren't able to put together a big enough comeback push.

SMUS got off to a slow start and dug themselves into a hole early on as the Bears opened with a 14-0 run. The Blue Jags battled back in the second half of the quarter to cut the Bears lead to 18-12 at the end of one, capped off by a Jason Scully buzzer-beater from the top of the key.

The Blue Jags were able to play the Bears even in the second frame, despite shooting the ball at a uncharacteristically low percentage from three. Alec Keech gave the Jags a much needed spark late in the quarter with two quick offensive boards, followed by a buzzer-beating jumper from the short corner to cut the Bears lead to 33-27 at recess. Callum Montgomery led SMUS offensively with 8 points, Scully added 7, and Jake Wilmott chipped in 6 for the Jags in the first half.

The second half was reminiscent of the first, as the Blue Jags were unable to really get going in many facets of the game. Each time the Jags pushed to cut the lead, the Bears had an answer. In the end, Mt. Boucherie was able to pull away late for the 72-56 victory.

Scully led the Jags in scoring on the night with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and Jake Wilmott added 13 points and 6 boards. Meanwhile, Callum Montgomery dropped 12 points while adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists and Max Pollen recorded a team high 5 helpers. Arguably the best performance of the night, however, came from Alec Keech who corralled 5 rebounds including 4 at the offensive end.

"I try to work hard on every possession and do the little things well." said Keech on his mindset heading into the game, "If we work hard as a team we will be successful."

The Blue Jags will continue competition in the Emerald Tournament Friday evening with a tilt against Semiahmoo at 5:30 PM. Following that game the Jags will have one more game on Saturday depending on Friday's game results to wrap up the tournament.