Reds fall just short of second comeback as X-Men take semi-final win

(HALIFAX, N.S.) Saturday night at the Scotiabank Centre the No. 2-ranked StFX X-Men topped the No. 3-ranked UNB Reds by a score of 84-77 in the second men's semifinal matchup of the Subway AUS Men's Basketball Championship.

The X-Men were led by AUS rookie of the year and second team all-star Avan Nava and fourth-year forward and AUS first team all-star Azaro Roker who each chipped in with 20 points in the win.

Nava took home Subway Player of the Game honours for his performance as he knocked down seven of 16 shots from the field to go along with three assists, three rebounds and three steals.

StFX scored six quick points to start the game, led by Nava's opening possession jumper, but the Reds ended the run quickly to keep the score close. 

Nava led all scorers after one with nine points on three-of-four shooting for the X-Men, while the Reds' hero from Friday's quarterfinal, Marcus Masters, led UNB with eight points, also on three-of-four shooting, including two-for-two from downtown.

The Reds fell behind in the second quarter as they were held scoreless for almost six straight minutes, from 6:17 - 0:32, during which the X-Men went on a 15-0 run, extending their lead to as much as 19 in the half.

Nava continued to lead the way for the X-Men in the second quarter as he made five-of-nine field goals for 15 first half points as the X-Men took a 12-point 46-34 lead into the break.

StFX was again able to push the gap to as many as 24 in the third, using a 10-0 run to reach their largest lead of the game, but UNB finished the quarter strong cutting the deficit back to 16 by the end of the quarter.

UNB came alive in the fourth quarter thanks to timely three-pointers from their AUS second team all-star Chris Spurrell and Masters, and the strong post play of their AUS first team all-star Ibrahima Doumbouya, who finished the game with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

The Reds were able to pull within three points on a Masters layup with 24 seconds remaining, but that would be as close as it would get. StFX would put the game away at the free throw line shortly after.

The X-Men now move on to play the defending champion, top-seeded and U SPORTS No. 2-ranked Dalhousie Tigers in Sunday afternoon's championship final at the Scotiabank Centre at 4:30 p.m.