The X-Men basketball team resumed AUS regular season action Saturday night in Halifax and suffered an 85-59 loss to the Dalhousie Tigers.

The X-Men opened with a 20-16 first quarter lead, but were held to only seven points in the second quarter as the Tigers outscored them 24-7 to take a 40-27 halftime lead. Despite a closer 22-19 third quarter in DAL’s favor, the lead was too much for the X-Men to overcome in the second half and the Tigers went on to the 85-59 victory.

Hassan Abdullahi was the high scorer on the Tigers with 16 points, while player of the game Kashrell Lawrence had a double-double night with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Deon Stedman scored 13 points and had 9 rebounds, while Jarred Reid added 10 points.

Leading the X-Men in the losing effort was fifth year veteran Jeremy Dunn with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Will Donkoh scored 17 points and had 7 rebounds, and Jordan Clarke added 10 points.

The X-Men were 32.1% from field goal range, 71.0% from the free throw line and only 6.7% in three-point shooting (1 for 15). The Tigers replied with 50.8% in field goal shooting, 57.1% in free throws and 31.8% in three-pointers.

The loss drops the X-Men to 4-4 on the season. They currently sit in fourth place with 10 points, 10 back of first place Cape Breton (7-0), their next opponent. The undefeated and CIS ranked No. 4 Capers will travel to Antigonish on Tuesday, January 8th for an 8:00 pm game against the X-Men.