Blue Jags Hold Off Gators to Earn Fourth at VC Emerald Tournament

                                   Photo by Dave Edwards

By: Mike Edwards

Jason Scully put forward his best statistical performance of the season, pouring in a season-high 29 points and adding 12 rebounds and 4 assists as the SMUS Blue Jags held off a late push from the Walnut Grove Gators to conclude play at the Vancouver College Emerald Tournament Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jags had built a 20 point lead midway through the third quarter, but the Gators clawed back to within 3 only to have their comeback spoiled by a late game-sealing three from Jake Wilmott.

The Blue Jags started strong, opening on a 7-0 run to begin the game. But the Gators replied late in the quarter, cutting the SMUS lead to 4 at the end of one. The Jags took an 18-14 lead at the end of the first on a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Scully.

SMUS continued to play well offensively in the second, shooting the three at a high percentage and extending their lead to 43-32 at the half. Scully led all players with 16 points and 8 boards for the Jags, and Wilmott chipped in with 12 points at recess.

The third brought more of the same, as the Blue Jags were able to extend the lead to 20 at one point, and took a 16 point advantage into the final frame. However, the Gators staged a big comeback push to start the fourth quarter, as they cut the SMUS lead down to 3 with under 2 minutes to play. But a crucial Wilmott three-ball with just under a minute to go put SMUS back up by 6 and put away the 73-65 Blue Jags victory.

Aside from the double double from Scully, Wilmott finished with 18 points and 5 assists and Graeme Hyde-Lay added 9 points and 4 helpers for the Jags.

 "I was able to get open from attention going to my teammates and got a couple shots and knocked them down." said Wilmott on his timely shooting, including the dagger three that put the game to bed.

The Blue Jags now head home from the Emerald tournament with a 2-1 record, good for a fourth place finish. Next up for the Jags is a Victoria Tier 1 League date at Spectrum at 7:30 PM on Tuesday. Then the Blue Jags will gear up for the Oak Bay Gary Taylor Classic that goes from December 18-20.