WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen (2-5) opened the new year at home with a 77-67 victory over the StFX X-Men (3-5) in front of over 800 boisterous fans at the War Memorial Gymnasium.

The game marked the third time the teams have met this season, with the results of the previous encounters ending in a win for each squad by five points. The X-Men led 4-2 in the opening minutes of the first quarter, but would not capture the lead again as the home team Axemen carried out the victory.

Rookie guard Ben Miller had eight points in the first frame as Acadia led by as many as eight. StFX closed the margin to within five as the Axemen lead 22-17 entering the second.

Acadia could not hold a substantial lead in the second quarter, as StFX refused to give in. They were up 39-32 at the halftime intermission.

In the second half, both teams went cold as Subway Player of the Game for the X-Men Julius Antoine recorded the first field goal with 7:47 left in the third quarter. Acadia went on a 14-4 run midway through the third and pushed out to a 58-48 lead heading into the final frame.

Acadia posted their largest lead of the night - 14 points - with over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. StFX fought back and trailed by three points with three minutes remaining in the game following a layup by second year guard Jordan Tyrell, but third year Axemen guard Sean Stoqua drilled a three-pointer the next trip down the court.

Antoine netted 28 points in the loss for the X-Men, while teammates Alastair Cole and Tyrell chipped in ten points apiece.

The Axemen were led in scoring by Kyle Arsenault who had 23 points. Ben Miller added 11 while Subway Player of the Game Rhys Larry had 12 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 5-7 from the field.

StFX heads to Halifax to face Dalhousie this Tuesday in a four-point matchup, while Acadia travels to Saint Mary's on Tuesday before heading to Cape Breton for a weekend matchup on Saturday in a four point game against the Capers. Acadia improves to 3-5 with the win over the 3-6 X-Men.

Ashley Hasler, Acadia Sports Information