X-Men drop home opener against Axemen

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) – The Acadia Axemen (1-3) avenged a 75-70 win by the X-Men (1-2) Wednesday night in Wolfville as they took home an 85-81 victory Saturday night at the StFX Oland Centre. The win was their first of the AUS season. 

The game was closely contested throughout the evening. The teams were tied at 20-20 after the first quarter then StFX held a 44-39 edge at halftime.

The Axemen outscored the home team 22-13 in the third quarter to pull ahead 61-57 after 30 minutes of play. They held onto their slim advantage throughout the final quarter, thwarting a late surge by the X-Men in the final minute of play to hang onto to the 85-81 victory.

Subway player of the game Sean Stoqua (Ottawa, Ont.) scored 26 points off the bench for the Axemen, along with five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Fourth-year guard Shaquille Smith (North Preston, N.S.) notched 20 points and had four steals, while Ben Miller (Winnipeg, Man.) scored 15 points and had six rebounds and five assists.

Rhys Larry (Maitland, Ont.) added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Axemen.

Replying for the X-Men was second year guard Julius Antoine (Woodbridge, Ont.)  who tallied 25 points, along with four rebounds and four assists.

Three other X-Men hit the double scoring figures including Cameron Walker (Dallas, Texas) with 17, Jordan Tyrrell (Montreal, Que.) with 15 and Kevin Bercy (Kanata, Ont.) with 14.

Walker and Bercy had double-double nights for StFX adding 10 rebounds apiece.

Next on the schedule for the X-Men is a pair of games against the UNB Varsity Reds in Fredericton on Nov. 21 and 22.

The Axemen will host Cape Breton on Nov. 21 followed by Dalhousie on the 22^nd.

Source: StFX Sports Information