A A

For the second time in four games, the Halifax Hurricanes lost to the Island Storm in NBL Canada action.

On Thursday the Hurricanes dropped a 111-99 decision at the Scotiabank Centre.

The loss drops Halifax’s record to one win and three losses.

Antoine Mason re-joined the Hurricanes this season after spending two years with the team - 2016 to 2018 - when Halifax made the league finals in both seasons.

“I’m not used to losing, it’s frustrating,” said Mason, who led the team with 25 points. “We’ll get better, I apologize to the fans for the early struggles but I will make sure we get better.”

Halifax got off to a strong start leading Island 35-27 after the first quarter. Tremayne Johnson got the crowd into the game as he dunked an alley-hoop pass and got fouled in the process. He hit his free throw shot for the three-point play.

Early in the second quarter, Halifax was stuck at 40 points for several possessions and that allowed the Storm to tie the game and eventually take the lead. The half ended with Island up 56-53.

In the third quarter both teams played even. Mason missed a free throw in the quarter, which ended his perfect streak where he hit 33 free throws in a row going back to the first game of the season.

The back and forth continued into the fourth quarter but Halifax couldn’t get on a run to take the lead.

The Storm pulled away in the final minutes with six straight points started by a Jonathan Loyd bucket and free throw for the three-point play.

Alex Campbell led the way for the storm with 27 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.

Mason had 25 for the Hurricanes while Marvell Waithe had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Hurricanes head coach Ryan Marchand gave two examples as to why the Hurricanes have only one win in the early stages of the season.

“I think it’s just us learning to play together and learning the system and us just having to fight for 48 minutes,” said Marchand. “You know not hanging our heads when things go wrong.”

Marchand said this was the most consistent game the Hurricanes have played this season. That will have to continue as they take on the undefeated Moncton Magic on the road on Saturday.