Halifax, NS – The STFX X-Men defeated the McGill Redbirds 68-50 to win their ninth tournament title at the Dalhousie Shoveller Invitational on Sunday afternoon.
STFX went 3-0 over the three-day event, coming out on top of the eight-team annual tournament.
STFX guard Antoine Vernon was named the tournament MVP, along with being named to the tournament all-star team. Teammate David Muenkat was also honoured as a tournament all-star, along with Concordia's Sami Jahan and McGill's Sean Herscovitch and Samuel Chaput.
Sunday's championship game started off slowly with both squads struggling to sink baskets. The Redbirds were held scoreless for the opening four minutes of play.
Avan Nava was hot from three-point range for the X-Men, and scored 10 of STFX's 18 points in the opening quarter as the blue and white held an 18-11 lead after one.
After an even 20-20 second quarter, the score was 38-31 in favour of X at halftime.
Nava scored 10 points and Muenkat nine for STFX in the opening half.
Chaput had a big half for the Redbirds, scoring 15.
The X-Men outpaced the Redbirds 15-10 in the third frame to build up a 53-41 lead after three quarters of play.
STFX held onto their advantage in the fourth quarter and opened up a 14-point lead midway through the final frame.
In a strong defensive effort, they held the Redbirds to only nine points in the fourth quarter and 19 in the second half on route to the 68-50 victory.
Nava was named the player of the game, finishing with 15 points. Muenkat scored 14 and had seven rebounds.
Vernon contributed eight points and five rebounds, while Deon Ejim scored seven and also had five boards.
Shaput had a game-high 22 points for the Redbirds.
With the win, the X-Men now surpass the host Dalhousie Tigers in total tournament titles with nine over the course of the 28-year history of the annual tournament. The Tigers have won eight times, while Concordia and Saint Mary's have each won three titles.
The X-Men will resume AUS regular season competition on Friday, January 6th when they host the Cape Breton Capers in an 8pm game on Coach K Court at the STFX Saputo Centre.
STFX currently sits atop the AUS conference in first place with a 9-1 record.
-30-
Recap courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Athletics
|
|
| Bruce and Tim Shoveller present tournament all-star awards to STFX's David Muenkat and Antoine Vernon, | |
| along with the tournament MVP award to Vernon. | |