The CIS ranked No. 5 Acadia men’s basketball team outscored the X-Men 47-24 in the second half en route to an 86-70 victory Thursday night at the StFX Oland Centre. The win marked the first one in the Antigonish, NS building for Axemen head coach Steve Baur in his five years behind the helm.

After a close 21-20 first quarter in favor of the visiting Axemen, the X-Men came back with a 26-18 second quarter performance to establish a 46-39 halftime lead. The second half belonged to the defending AUS champion Axemen, however, as they took over the lead in the latter part of the third quarter to head into the final frame leading 61-58.

Their two point lead quickly opened up to eight, and then the Acadia offense took over and they went on to outscore the blue and white 25-12 down the stretch.

The numbers favored the Axemen as they were 42.9% from the floor, 38.1% in three-point shooting (8-21) and 81.8% from the free throw line. The X-Men were 38.2% from field goal range, 9 for 25 in three-pointers (36.0%) and 69.2% from the charity stripe. 

The Axemen had five players in double scoring figures, including Owen Klassen with a double-double evening at 20 points and 15 rebounds. Bradley States and Tyler Scott each scored 15 points and Anthony Ashe added 12 points and five rebounds. Anthony Sears scored 11.

Replying for the X-Men was veteran forward Jeremy Dunn who scored a game-high 21 points along with four rebounds. Shane Coupland scored 11 and had six boards, while Will Donkoh added eight points, five rebounds and four assists.
With the four-point win, the Axemen improve to 12-3 on the season and sit alone in second place. They will host the sixth place Saint Mary’s Huskies (6-10) on Tuesday evening, Feb. 12th for another four-point match.

The X-Men fall to 7-8 and are tied with UPEI (8-6) for fourth place, two points back of the Dalhousie Tigers (8-8), who they will meet Saturday night in Halifax in their next AUS action.