X-Men drop home tournament title to Capers

The Cape Breton University Capers scored a 93-55 win over the host StFX X-Men to capture the 34th annual Nike StFX Invitational Tournament title Saturday night at the Oland Centre.

Freshman Shaquille Keith, with 29 points, led the visitors to the championship win, while reigning AUS MVP Jimmy Dorsey contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Dorsey also took home tournament MVP honors.

On the strength of a 31-9 scoring advantage in the second quarter, the Capers led 49-30 at halftime. In the third quarter, CBU outscored StFX 23 to 9, before cruising to victory.

For the blue and white, who were without starters Tyrell Vernon and Terry Thomas, Will Donkoh led in scoring with 21 points.

Freshman Jordan Tyrrell chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while fifth-year senior Jeremy Dunn added 11 points and five rebounds.

Both Dunn and Donkoh were named to the tournament all-star team, as was Keith from the Capers. Rounding out the all-star team was Daniel Quirion (UNB) and Geoff Doane (UPEI).

In consolation final action, the UPEI Panthers edged the UNB Varsity Reds 73-71.

Daniel Quirion led the winners with 27 points, while adding six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Geoff Doane led UNB with a double-double – 15 points and 12 boards, while Jermaine Duke hauled down 18 rebounds.

Friday night, the Capers opened the tournament with a 75-62 win over the Panthers. Dorsey led the Capers with 20 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Arild Geugjes chipped in a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Keith and Meshack Lufile hit double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Deontay Smith, with 12 points, and Donathan Moss (11), also chipped in four rebounds apiece for the Panthers.
In the second semi-final, StFX cruised to a 96-78 victory over the Varsity Reds, outscoring the visitors 26-12 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Dunn led five X-Men in double figures with 34 points, while Donkoh added 21.

Tyrrell and Shane Coupland, with 11, and Jordan Clarke (10) also hit double digits. Dunn and Clarke led the X-Men with six rebounds apiece, with Clarke also leading the team with five assists.

For UNB, Jordan Irvine scored 21, while Aaron O’Brien and William McFee contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Daniel Quirion was the fourth Varsity Red in double figures with 11.

The X-Men return to action when they start the AUS regular season Saturday, Nov. 10 versus the Saint Mary’s Huskies in Halifax.

The home opener for the X-Men is set for Saturday, Nov. 17, when they host the UPEI Panthers. Game time is 8 p.m. at Oland Centre.