X-Men defeat Sea-Hawks 97-75

Antigonish, N.S. - The StFX X-Men (2-1) defeated the Memorial Sea-Hawks (2-1) 97-75 in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) basketball action Saturday night at Oland Centre.

In the first quarter, on the strength of three baskets from beyond the arc from Julius Antoine (Woodbridge, ON), and a pair of fast break lay-ups from Davonte Provo (East Preston, NS), the X-Men led 15-2 after the opening four minutes.

Keyed by a couple of three-pointers from shooting guard Tristen Ross (Truro, NS), the X-Men extended their margin to 25-8 after the first quarter. 

The Sea-Hawks, led by Greg Manuel (Mineville, NS) and Daniel Gordon (Scarborough, ON), helped mount a comeback, early in the second quarter, but the home side maintained its double digit lead. 

At the midway point of the period, on an Akil Charles (Glenn Dale, MD) shot-clock beating three-pointer, the X-Men took their biggest lead at 40-20.

After a Sea-Hawk spurt, another Antoine three gave StFX a 49-28 margin, their largest of the game.

A final-minute run by Memorial, keyed by a Chris Dobbin (Corner Brook, NL) three-pointer, sliced the X-Men lead to 50-34, heading to the locker room. 

Midway through the third quarter, on another Antoine three-pointer, the X-Men led 64-40.

After freshman Nicholas Russell (Mississauga, ON) of the X-Men and Deng Ring (St John's, NL) exchanged shots from downtown, StFX led 72-52, after three quarters.

In the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, led by seven points from Cameron Walker (Dallas, TX), the X-Men were up 80-54. After a steal and lead pass to Kevin Bercy (Kanata, ON), for a slam dunk, the X-Men led 84-59.

The teams traded baskets for most of the final minutes, with StFX coming away with the 22-point win. 

Antoine, with 21 points, including five three-pointers, earned Subway player of the game honours, while Manuel, with 15, was named top player for Memorial.

Bercy garnered another double-double, with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Walker and Ross - off the bench - also hit double figures in scoring, with 11 and 12 points, respectively. 

Gordon, with 17, Austin Chambers (Ajax, ON, 12) and Ring (11) also scored in double digits for the Sea-Hawks.

The teams will play the re-match Sunday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m., at Oland Centre.

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