X-Men narrowly defeat Tigers, advance to face Capers in semifinal

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The 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 the opening quarter-final of the 2013 Subway AUS men's basketball championship.

With the win, the X-Men advance to a semifinal match-up against conference rival and the CIS No. 2-ranked Cape Breton Capers Saturday 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 a back and forth contest, as both teams traded opportunities 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 Dalhousie freshman guard Jarred Reid made his presence felt that the Tigers were able to widen their lead as he notched a pair of 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 found 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 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 nine rebounds for the Tigers, while second team AUS all-star Simon Marr added 14 points and nine boards.

The X-Men will battle the top-seeded Capers (19-1) in Saturday's first semifinal at 6:00pm.

Source: Jamie Kelly, AUS
Photo courtesy of Nick Pearce