The #1 ranked X-Men basketball team easily handled the #5 UPEI Panthers by an 89-60 margin Friday night in the AUS semi-final game at the Halifax Metro Centre.

After establishing a six point lead after the first quarter of play (24-18), the CIS ranked #5 X-Men opened up the lead in the second quarter. Rookie Jeremy Dunn hit consecutive three-pointers and the X-Men led by as much as 42-18 late in the half as they held the Panthers off the score sheet for a significant stretch of time.

The half-time score was 44-25 in favor of the blue and white, and the X-Men continued to widen the gap in the second half. The third quarter difference was 70-43 and the X-Men kept on the attack, closing out with the 89-60 win.

Five X-Men were in double scoring figures including Jeremy Dunn with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Will Silver scored 15 and added 5 assists and 3 steals while Christian Upshaw scored 13. Player of the Game Alberto Rodriguez had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds and Terrance Taylor chipped in with 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Gamaliel Rose led the Panthers with 20 points and 8 rebounds while Andrew Black scored 18 and added 8 rebounds.

The X-Men will meet the #3 ranked Dalhousie Tigers in the championship game which takes place Saturday night at 7:30 pm at the Halifax Metro Centre. The Tigers defeated the #2 Cape Breton Capers by a slim 78-77 socre in the other AUS semi-final.