GAME RECAP - Semifinal #2: Axemen knock off defending champs, qualify for Final 8
Acadia 56, StFX 52

(Eric Cederberg Photo)

March 9, 2007 (HALIFAX, NS) - In the second semifinal of the night, the #3-seeded Acadia Axemen built a 35-18 halftime lead against the defending champion StFX X-Men and hung on for a 56-52 victory in front of 4,964 fans at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Acadia had everything falling for them right from the opening tip while the X-Men struggled to find their range throughout much of the first half. Acadia's 35-18 lead at halftime was a result of a StFX squad that made just 7-of-26 field goals, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

The Axemen gave back much of their lead in the second half as the X-Men went on a decent run to narrow the gap. StFX shot 60% from the floor in the second half compared to Acadia's 25%.

Things took a turn for the worse for the Axemen as center Achuil Lual picked up his fifth foul with 5 minutes left in the game.

With one minute remaining, StFX trailed by just 2 points but Acadia's Shawn Berry made some clutch free throws at the end of the game to seal the win.

Berry, the player of the game, had a 13 point night, while Jason Jordan had 13 and League MVP Paulo Santana and Achuil Lual each grabbed a team high 7 rebounds.

For StFX Tyler Richards had 19 points, while Neil MacDonald had 11 points and 11 boards in a losing cause.

The Axemen and Saint Mary's Huskies will now play for the conference championship tomorrow night. Game time is 7pm at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Game recap by Shaun Gillis