Huskies advance to AUS semifinals after nail-biting 80-79 win over X-Men

(HALIFAX, N.S.) – The Saint Mary's Huskies and the StFX X-Men played in the second men's semi-final matchup of the Subway AUS Men's Basketball Championship Friday night at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, N.S. 

After a back-and-forth nail-biter of a fourth quarter, the Huskies earned an 80-79 victory to advance to Saturday's semi-final round.

Theon Reefer (Toronto, Ont.) led the Huskies in their victory, posting 28 points and six rebounds and one steal.

AUS Most Valuable Player and first team all-star Kevin Bercy (Kanata, Ont.) led the X-Men in points with 15, and had eight rebounds, one assist and three steals.

The first quarter saw back-and-forth play from both squads, with the X-Men holding a slight 19-16 edge after 10. Theon Reefer led the Huskies in points in the first with seven.

The Huskies began to catch the X-Men's lead halfway through the second quarter.

With just under four minutes remaining in the first half, a steal by Huskies Kemar Alleyne (Scarborough, Ont.) lead to a massive dunk from Theon Reefer (Toronto, Ont.), to put Saint Mary's ahead 32-27.

The Huskies managed to hold their lead as the score sat at 39-37 heading into halftime. Reefer continued to rack up the points for the Huskies, scoring 11 in the second quarter alone.

Reefer was not finished in the second half, posting 10 points in the third frame to allow the Huskies to hold a 63-60 edge heading into the final quarter.

StFX began to pick up the pace in the fourth, taking a 72-69 lead with just over six minutes remaining in regulation.

Saint Mary's began to regain their lead, as they took a five-point edge with just over two minutes remaining.

With just three seconds left in the frame and the Huskies ahead 80-78, a foul called against Saint Mary's Brian Rouse (Mississauga, Ont.) sent Bercy to the line for the X-Men.

With Bercy missing his first free-throw, but completing his second, the Saint Mary's Huskies were able to hold on and capture the 80-79 victory.

Theon Reefer was named Subway Player of the Game for the Huskies. Bercy earned the same honour in the loss for the X-Men.

The Wilson's Security Defensive Player of the Game for the Huskies was awarded to Achuil Lual (Ottawa, Ont.) who had 10 rebounds and two steals, while Davonte Provo (East Preston, N.S.) earned the recognition for the X-Men, recording three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Huskies now advance to the Subway AUS championship semi-finals. They will face the No. 2-seed UNB Varsity Reds Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.