X-Men earn weekend split against Varsity Reds

The CIS No. 6 X-Men basketball team had one win and one loss this past weekend in Fredericton, N.B, against the UNB Varsity Reds. The X-Men lost a nail biter Friday night, upset 67-66 by the V-Reds, while they came back to post a 76-72 victory the next day. 

On Friday night Jeremy Dunn and Terry Thomas continued their dominance this season, leading the team to a close finish as each had a double-double evening with Dunn scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Thomas scored 17 points and posted 12 boards. Shane Coupland contributed nine points for StFX and Bol Kong had seven points and seven rebounds.

Daniel Quirion and Alex Desroches played a crucial role in the victory for the Varsity Reds, as Quirion had 23 points and Desroches had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Seth Amoah contributed 14 points for the home team. 

The X-Men shot 36.6 % from field goal range and 26.7% from the three point line. The blue and white also converted on 77% of their free throws, going 10-13. The Varsity Reds shot 35.9% from field goal range, 18.8% from three point range and 73% percent from the free throw line.

The game was neck and neck the whole way, as the X-Men led 29-26 at half time. The two teams both scored 16 points in the third quarter to make the score 45-42 for the blue and white, but the Varsity Reds outscored the X-Men 25-21 in the fourth quarter to close the game out with a 67-66 win that went right down to the wire.

Quiron and Dunn received player of the game honors for their respective teams.

In Saturday’s matinee game the X-Men were able to avenge their loss from the night prior and beat the Varsity Reds 76-72. Terry Thomas chimed in with 14 points and eight rebounds and Bol Kong had 13 points and six rebounds for the visitors, while Michael Fosu had a game high 20 points and Alex Desroches collected 19 along with seven rebounds to pace the host Varsity Reds. Kong and Fosu received player of the game recognition for each team.

The X-Men shot 46% from field goal range, 33% from three point range and 55% from the free throw line. The Varsity Reds were able to shot 45% from field goal range, 20% from the three point line and 64% in free throws. 

The X-Men held a strict advantage throughout the game, holding a 43-35 lead at half time. The X-Men were only outscored in the last quarter of the game when the Varsity Reds came within two baskets of the X-Men, outscoring the blue and white 19-13 in a late game charge.

The X-Men are currently in third place in the AUS conference with a 10-4 record and 24 points. They continue play next weekend when they will host two important four point games at the StFX Oland Centre. The second place Acadia Axemen (10-4) will be in town for an 8:00 pm game on Saturday night, followed by a Sunday afternoon game against the first place UPEI Panthers (11-3).