The men's basketball Hurricanes joined the women with their own terrific start to the 2024-25 season, claiming a 104-80 home-opening win against the men's UKC Blue Devils at the McMillan Centre on Saturday.

While the match saw inconsistencies from each team throughout, Holland showed more flashed of brilliance, and even some resilience in the second half, as fifth-year forward and former ACAA leading scorer Bryce Corless (Quispamsis, N.B.) was ejected after a technical foul, but the team remained strong and held on for the win.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth melee for a while, but just past halfway, the Hurricanes gained momentum and went from a 15-15 tie to leading 33-22 at the buzzer. In the second and third quarters, each team traded points once more, but Holland slowly pulled ahead further with the help of a few three-point jump shots, leading 84-57 going into the fourth and final quarter. The Blue Devils played their best in the last quarter but were unable to pull the gap any closer than 24 points, and Holland held on through a scoreless final three minutes to win the game.

Before his ejection, Corless recorded 13 points and added six rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Second-year guard Aaron Simmons (Nassau, Bahamas) led the Hurricanes with 24 points and added five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block. Other heavy contributors were second-year guard Michael Surur (Calgary, Alberta), third-year guard Spencer Rossiter (Summerside, P.E.I.), and second-year guard Jaidon Martin (Toronto, Ontario), who totalled 47 points combined.

Head coach Tim Kendrick said moving the ball was the key to success. "It was great to play at home first and get off to a good start. Once we got it in our heads to keep the ball moving, the win was a possibility. We had to make sure to keep it moving. The thing I like about our group is that they bring the right attitude every day to practice and they work very hard and play very hard. I feel very confident in anybody we throw out there. Bryce's ejection didn't slow us down."

Kendrick noted that required improvements for the future include fewer turnovers, better shots from the final line, and a tougher defensive effort.

Just like the women, the men will also play the MSVU Mystics at the McMillan Centre next Friday, Nov. 1, with their match at 8 p.m.

Connect with the men's basketball 'Canes at www.x.com/canesmbball and www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.