X-Men win close game over Tigers, advance to AUS semi-final

The AUS fifth seeded StFX X-Men came away with a nail biting 74-70 victory over the fourth seeded Dalhousie Tigers Friday evening at the Halifax Metro Centre in Subway AUS quarter-final action. With the win, the X-Men advance to a semi-final matchup against conference rival and CIS ranked No.2 Cape Breton Capers tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm. 

Subway Player of the Game Jeremy Dunn led the X-Men attack with 17 points and 5 rebounds, while Tigers guard Hassan Abdullahi had a game high 20 points and 4 rebounds in a losing effort.

The first quarter was back and forth, as both teams traded chances early on. The Tigers led 12-7 midway through the first quarter but their lead was short lived as the X-Men stormed right back with five quick points to tie the game at 12 apiece. It wasn`t until Tigers first year guard Jarred Reid decided to make his presence felt that the Tigers were able to widen their lead as he notched  a couple key three-pointers, including a long-range shot at the buzzer to make the score 25-15 in favor of the Tigers after one quarter.

The X-Men seemed to really find their legs in the second quarter as they were led early on by third year forward Shane Coupland`s two quick three pointers to cut the Tigers lead to three points. With the two teams continuing to trade points, the X-Men took over the quarter in the final five minutes as they went on a 9-0 run, including two three pointers from fifth year guard Tyrell Vernon, to take the 40-36 lead at half time.

The blue and white continued the momentum they gained at the end of the second quarter and outscored the Tigers 19-9 in the third frame. Vernon continued to have the hot hand as he led the way with seven points in the quarter for the X-Men. The X-Men took a 59-45 lead heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Though the X-Men had a comfortable lead, the Tigers were not going to go down without a fight, and they proved that in the fourth quarter as they went on a 13-0 run in the first three minutes to electrify the crowd and get within one point of the X-Men lead at 61-60. The Tigers attack was fast and furious and had the X-Men on their heels until fifth year forward and AUS first-team all-star Jeremy Dunn cashed in on two late three-pointers to seal the 74-70 victory.

Along with the strong play from Dunn, The X-Men received timely offense from Vernon who collected 17 points and was 3-5 from the three point line. Reid produced 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Tigers.

The X-Men will battle the AUS top seeded Capers in Subway AUS semi-final action tomorrow evening at 6:00pm.