Tiger-Cats outscore Alouettes in 2nd half en route to pivotal home win

This time, Dane Evans and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats averted another second-half collapse.

Steven Dunbar Jr. and Don Jackson scored second-half touchdowns as Hamilton held on for a 24-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday night. It was a victorious start to a stretch that will see the Ticats (2-5) play six straight (and seven-of-eight overall) against East Division competition.

Dunbar Jr. and Jackson helped Hamilton outscore Montreal 14-11 in the second half. It marked the first time this season the Ticats had outscored an opponent over the final two quarters, delighting a Tim Hortons Field gathering of 20,932 on a gorgeous summer evening.

Hamilton has been outscored 77-26 in the fourth this season.

"No [nothing comes easily in the second half for the Ticats], but you know what? We won," Evans said. "It's a four-point swing against the East, two for us, not two for them.

"A win is a win, it's a lot easier to coach off a win."

The contest certainly follows a seasonal trend. It was the ninth game this year to be decided between five-and-10 points.

Of the 28 contests played thus far, nine have been decided by four or less points while the other 10 have been decided by 11 or more points.

WATCH | Hamilton outscores opponent in 2nd half for 1st time this season: 

Evans connected with Dunbar Jr. on a 40-yard TD strike at 5:10 of the third to extend Hamilton's lead to 17-6. Then following an incompletion in the end zone, the Ticats successfully challenged a questionable pass interference call, giving them possession at the Montreal one-yard line.

Two plays later, Jackson scored from two yards out at 10:06 to put Hamilton ahead 24-6. Ironically, the successful challenge came after two others on seemingly more blatant pass