Callaghan Ignites Mystics in 79–61 Home Opener Victory
Adam Callaghan’s hot hand and Isaiah Cromwell-Wright’s all-around play powered the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics to a 79–61 home-opening win over the Holland College Hurricanes. The duo set the tone early as the Mystics built a lead they would not relinquish.
The Mount Saint Vincent Mystics opened their home schedule with a convincing 79–61 victory over the Holland College Hurricanes on Saturday evening at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium.
Adam Callaghan (Sydney, NS) led the Mystics with a game-high 23 points, including an impressive 4-for-7 performance from beyond the arc. Isaiah Cromwell-Wright (Dartmouth, NS) added 16 points, five rebounds, and a steal, while Chase Tynes (Loon Lake, NS) contributed 11 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
For the Hurricanes, Zachary Dawkins (Edmonton, AB) recorded a strong double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Dorrell Bedminster (Hamilton, ON) chipped in 10 points, going 2-for-5 from three-point range.
From the opening tip, the Mystics set the tone with high defensive intensity and balanced offensive execution. Callaghan and Cromwell-Wright each scored five early points to pace the attack. The Hurricanes looked to respond late in the frame, as Dawkins converted an and-one play with 14 seconds remaining, but the Mystics held a 20–7 lead after the first quarter.
The Hurricanes opened the second quarter with a floater from Spencer Rossiter, followed by a deep, contested three from Dawkins to trim the deficit to 25–17. The Mystics regrouped during a timeout and quickly reestablished control. Callaghan hit back-to-back threes off assists from Tynes, while Anthony Lecky (Sydney River, NS) converted an and-one in transition. The Mystics' ball movement continued to shine, capped by a driving finish from Callaghan off a pass from Nate Titus (Stouffville, ON). A baseline dunk from Tynes closed the half, sending the Mystics into the break ahead 45–23.
Callaghan opened the second half with a put-back layup to keep the Mystics' energy high, but the Hurricanes responded with consecutive threes from Owen Parsons (Hebbville, NS) and Bedminster. Tynes delivered another momentum-swinging dunk midway through the third, but Holland College continued to battle, cutting the lead to 12. The Mystics entered the final quarter up 60–48.
Sensing the Hurricanes' push, the Mystics regained momentum early in the fourth. Cromwell-Wright buried a corner three, followed by a strong drive from Titus through traffic. After Dawkins hit a mid-range jumper for the Hurricanes, Cromwell-Wright answered with another three off a skip pass from Callaghan. From there, the Mystics controlled the pace and maintained a comfortable lead to secure the 79–61 victory.
The Mystics return to action on Saturday, November 22, when they host their cross-town rivals, the UKC Blue Devils, at 4:00 p.m. The Hurricanes will look to bounce back on the road against the UNBSJ Seawolves on Saturday, November 15, with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m.