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Hamilton holds off late charge from BC

Sep 8, 2013 - 12:04 AM Guelph, ON (Sports Network) - Henry Burris threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats held off a late comeback attempt by the British Columbia Lions to win, 37-29, at Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph.

Burris completed 25-of-35 passes and threw a pair of interceptions for Hamilton (5-5), which bounced back from a loss to BC on Aug. 30. Andy Fantuz (six receptions, 112 yards), Greg Ellingson (seven receptions, 111 yards) and C.J. Gable (six receptions, 108 yards) all topped the century mark receiving. Ellingson hauled in two touchdown passes, while Fantuz and Gable grabbed one apiece.

If Montreal beats Toronto on Sunday, there will be a three-way tie for first place in the East Division.

For BC (6-4), Travis Lulay was 26-of-43 for 324 yards, tossing two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Nick Moore led all receivers with 12 catches for 149 yards. Both Moore and Courtney Taylor (seven receptions, 91 yards) caught touchdown passes.

Hamilton took 3-0 lead on Luca Congi 29-yard field goal midway through the opening frame. BC's first score came later in the first quarter on a safety.

The Lions took their first lead early in the second quarter on a Paul McCallum 10-yard field goal.

Hamilton retook the advantage on its next possession when Fantuz hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Burris.

Burris struck again a few minutes later, connecting on a seven-yard scoring toss to Ellingson as the Ticats went up, 17-5.

McCallum added another field goal (18 yards) just before the half to bring BC's deficit to single digits heading into intermission.

The Ticats scored on their first drive of the second half, as Burris dumped a screen pass off to Gable, who took it 32 yards for a touchdown.

After the Hamilton defense forced a BC turnover less than a minute later, Burris found Ellingson in the corner of the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown.

The Ticats continued to pile on later in the third when Congi booted through a 39-yard field goal.

After a pass interference call in the end zone, the Lions finally found the end zone when Shawn Gore converted a one-yard touchdown rush.

BC continued the comeback trail at the 9:12 mark of the fourth quarter when Lulay connected with Moore on a five-yard touchdown to bring it to within 12, 34-22.

Congi knocked through a 39-yard field goal with 4:03 left to give Hamilton a 15-point lead.

With 1:57 remaining, the Lions brought its deficit to one score when Lulay hooked up with Taylor for a 15-yard touchdown.

BC got the ball back with 10 seconds to play, but a frantic lateral play fell short.

"I see an improvement in this team," Hamilton head coach Kent Austin said. "Our philosophy is constant consistency. If we do that, our record will take care of itself. As long as our players keep playing hard, everything will work out."

Game Notes

Hamilton wore retro red uniforms in honor of its 1943 Grey Cup Champion Flying Wildcats squad ... Gable led all rushers with 49 yards on nine carries ... The Ticats defense sacked Lulay three times ... The victory for Hamilton snapped a three-game losing streak to BC ... Hamilton's 37 points tied a season high, the same total that has come in each of its last three wins ... Burris is now second in the CFL with 18 touchdown passes.