X-Men defeat Tigers in four-point match up

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - The X-Men basketball team picked up four points in the AUS standings with a 77-72 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers Saturday evening at the Oland Centre.

StFX improves to 11-7 on the season, currently in third place, while the Tigers fall to 5-13, out of AUS playoff contention.

Led by freshman forward Kevin Bercy who had a double-double evening with 20 points and 12 rebounds, along with four steals, the X-Men held on for a close game down the stretch to bring home the victory.

Subway Player of the Game Jordan Clarke, a fifth-year guard playing in his final AUS regular season home game, scored 16 points and added seven rebounds and three assists. Fellow fifth-year veteran Will Donkoh had 12 points, including a trio of three-point buckets, along with four rebounds and three steals.

Shane Coupland contributed 11 points for the X-Men.

Both Donkoh and Clarke, along with fifth-year forward Mat MacDonald were honored pre-game for their contributions to the X-Men program.

StFX held a 16-12 edge over the Tigers after the first quarter of play. Dalhousie pulled ahead early in the second quarter thanks to their three-point shooting. They led by as much as nine points, though the X-Men sealed the difference to three points at half time at 37-34 in favor of the Tigers.

The third quarter belonged to StFX as they outscored the Tigers 30-19. Coupland's three-pointer at the buzzer gave the X-Men a 63-56 advantage after 30 minutes of play.

The fourth quarter featured low scoring with slim exchanges of leads for the majority of play.

StFX held a 73-72 lead with two minutes to play. After both teams failed to score on two consecutive possessions, Jordan Clarke's jumper with 32 seconds left on the game clock gave the X-Men a three-point advantage.

They were able to hang on for the 77-72 final.

Jarred Reid paced the Tigers attack with 22 points, while John Traboulsi scored 13 and pulled in nine rebounds.

Simon Marr scored nine points and had 10 rebounds, with Ritchie Kanza Mata also scoring nine. Kanza Mata and Traboulski each contributed six assists apiece.

With one week remaining in AUS regular season play, the X-Men will hit the road for a pair of four-point games at UPEI and UNB. Game times are 8 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22.

The X-Men have already clinched an AUS playoff spot, though final seedings will be determined following weekend play.

Source: StFX Sports Information