Along with the host Dalhousie Tigers and the X-Men, also competing in the event are fellow AUS opponents UPEI, Acadia and Saint Mary's, along with MSVU from the CCAA and Concordia and UQAM from the RSEQ conference.
Tournament quarter-final action tips off Friday, January 1st at 1:00 pm with Saint Mary's taking on UQAM, followed by the X-Men and UPEI Panthers at 3:00 pm. Acadia and Concordia will play at 6:00 pm, followed by Dalhousie and MSVU at 8:00 pm.
The four winning teams will advance to semifinal play on Saturday night at 6:00 and 8:00 pm, while the losers will be relegated to the consolation side of the tournament bracket, playing Saturday at 1:00 and 3:00 pm.
The championship game is slated for Sunday at 3:00 pm. For the complete tournament schedule and ticketing information, visit http://www.daltigers.ca/special_events/Shoveller_Tournament/shoveller.
The X-Men are eight-time Shoveller tournament champions, last winning in 2011-12, but they have struggled in AUS play in the opening month of the season. With a 1-5 record and two points, StFX currently sit in last place in the eight team AUS conference.
Veteran X-Men coach Steve Konchalski looks to use the tournament to turn the tides for the blue and white, commenting, "The basketball X-Men are hoping to use the three games at the Shoveller to set the table for a change of fortunes for the second part of the AUS season, particularly at the defensive end of the court where we had been giving up 90 points per game."
The 90.3 points against is a conference-high for StFX. They averaged 78.3 points for in six games played to date, seventh overall in the conference.
Third year forward Kevin Bercy from Kanata, ON leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.2 PPG. He also leads the team and the entire AUS conference in rebounding with 10.0 RPG. Third year guard Julius Antoine (Woodbridge, ON), with 15.2 PPG and third year center Cameron Walker (Dallas, TX) with 10.2 round out the top three scorers for the X-Men.
The AUS standings feature a log jam for first place with four teams tied for top spot, all with 12 points apiece, including UPEI (5-2), Dalhousie (5-2), Cape Breton (4-4) and Acadia (5-2).
Following the Dalhousie Shoveller Tournament, the X-Men will resume AUS regular season action on Friday, January 8th at Dalhousie for a four-point game, followed by another four-point game Saturday night, January 9th at home when they host UNB at 8:00 pm at the StFX Oland Centre.
The Cape Breton Capers will be in Antigonish on Wednesday, January 13th for an 8:00 pm at the Oland Centre.
X-Men fans are reminded that tickets for all home games can be purchased at any time at the StFX Keating Centre box office or online through www.ticketatlantic.ca. Advance ticket rates are available up to two hours prior to home doubleheaders and will save fans money at the door.
For the complete X-Men schedule, visit http://www.goxgo.ca/sports/mbkb/2015-16/schedule.