Axemen hold on for 74-73 thriller over X-Men

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - The first-place Acadia Axemen (13-4) held on for a 74-73 victory over the StFX X-Men (10-7), barely escaping a huge fourth quarter comeback from the home team.

After the Axemen lead by as much as 21 points midway through the third quarter, the X-Men clawed their way back into the game, sparked by a massive dunk by freshman forward Temi Shittu early in the fourth quarter.

The dunk ignited the StFX team and the crowd, as they went on to outscore the Axemen 26-8 in the final quarter, including an 11-0 run late in the frame.

Veteran guard Will Donkoh converted a steal into a layup to give the X-Men a 73-72 lead with 1:07 to play. After a pair of missed StFX free throws, the Axemen inbounded the ball under the X hoop with only three seconds left on the game clock, working it to Shaquille Smith who sunk the game-winning hoop with only one second left.

Smith had a double-double evening for the Axemen scoring 12 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. He also had three assists and one steal.

Subway Player of the Game Owen Klassen scored 12 points and led the Axemen with 13 rebounds as the visitors out-rebounded the X-Men by a 50-29 margin.

Kyle Arsenault netted 12 points for the Axemen, while Gianmarco Luciani, Anthony Ashe and Lauchlan Gale each contributed nine points apiece. Rhys Larry scored eight points and had nine boards off the bench.

The Axemen dominated the first half, outscoring the X-Men 42-26. The third half was closer with the Axemen holding a 24-21 scoring edge.

The X-Men made the game very exciting down the stretch, almost launching the comeback.

Donkoh scored a game-high 19 points for StFX and had four rebounds while Shane Coupland scored 12 points off the bench.

Jameel Williamson netted 10 points and had 10 rebounds for a double-double evening and Kevin Bercy added nine points and six rebounds.

X-Men sparkplug Shittu scored eight from the bench, six of which came in the fourth quarter.

With the four-point victory, the Axemen (13-4) increase their lead atop the AUS standings with 38 points, 10 better than second-place UPEI and SMU. The X-Men (10-7) currently sit in fourth place with 26 points.

Both the X-Men and Axemen will have chances to gain another four points this evening, Feb. 15. The Axemen travel to Cape Breton for a 4 p.m. game against the Capers (9-9), while the X-Men will host the Dalhousie Tigers (5-12) in their final AUS regular season home game. Tip-off is 8 p.m. at the StFX Oland Centre.

Source: StFX Sports Information