X-Men thump Panthers in 92-80 to move into tie for third place

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - The StFX X-Men led by as many as 33 points and eventually cruised to a 92-80 win over the UPEI Panthers in AUS basketball action Saturday night at Oland Centre.

Jeremy Dunn, with 21 points, led six X-Men in double figures and was the named Subway Player of the Game. The fifth-year senior added seven rebounds and a team-leading six assists in his return after missing the last two games with a knee injury.

Shane Coupland notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds – a game high – while adding three assists and one steal.

Senior guards Tyrell Vernon and Will Donkoh chipped in 17 and 15 points, respectively, while Jordan Clarke and Rodrigo Madera contributed 11 points apiece in the victory.

The X-Men shot 50 per cent from the field, including 40.9 per cent (9-for-22) from three-point range.

StFX out-rebounded the Panthers 41 to 29.

The blue and white led 47-30 at halftime and 78-49 after three quarters.

UPEI mounted a late comeback, outscoring the X-Men 31-14 in the final quarter, but it was too little, too late.

For the Panthers, Deontay Smith led the way with a game-high 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals. Joe Kendrick, with 14, was the only other UPEI player with double digits in scoring.

The X-Men, who improved to 7-7 in AUS regular season play, will return to action Thursday, Feb. 7 when they host the CIS No. 5-ranked Acadia Axemen. Game time is 8 p.m. at Oland Centre.

Source: StFX Sports Information
Photo courtesy of Erica Roberts (http://ericahphoto.com/)