Axemen top Panthers 89-73

(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - In the first of two CIS Shoot for the Cure matchups this weekend, the Acadia Axemen defeated UPEI Panthers 89-73, improving their record to 8-2 this season.

Acadia came out strong in the opening frame, this time, with a 17-2 run led by Anthony Sears who had 10 in the first quarter.

UPEI battled back to pull the Panthers with 11 at 19-8 after one quarter.  The Panthers continued to fight to stay in the game behind 11 points from last year's CIS rookie of the year, Deontay Smith.

Sears answered with another 11 points of his own, finishing the game with 32 points on 14-for-22 from the floor and received Subway Player of the Game honours.

With Shaquille Smith sitting on the bench from his foul trouble of three in the opening quarter, the Axemen struggled with fouls in the third. Big man Owen Klassen along with teammate and starting point guard AJ Simmonds sat on the bench for third quarter.

Most of the quarter was played from the free throw line as both teams were in the bonus with four minutes left to play and driving strong to the hoop. Near the end of the third, UPEI went on a 13-2 and finished the frame down by five, 65-60.

With Klassen, Smith and Simmonds returning to the court for the fourth, the Panthers pulled to within three.

Klassen, who had a quiet double-double with 13 points and 14 boards, scored seven straight and put the game away for the Axemen. Kyle Arsenault also had a big game, adding 20 points to the victory.

Panthers Subway Player of the Game Deontay Smith had 20 points for the Panthers, while teammates Joe Kendrick and Brian Ofori added 14 and 12 points respectively in the loss.

Three past players for the local Horton Griffins accepted the loss to the hometown favourites including Kendrick, Lorenzo Parker and Ellis Ffrench.

Both teams will face each other again tomorrow evening for the second evening of the Shoot for the Cure weekend.

The Axemen play next this Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. when they visit the Saint Mary's Huskies in Halifax for a four-point game.

Next Friday, Jan. 24, UPEI will host the UNB Varsity Reds at 8 p.m. 

Source: Ashley Halser for Acadia Sports Information