Panthers defeat X-Men in dying seconds to claim Coach K Invitational tournament title

Antigonish, NS – The UPEI Panthers won the 44^th edition of the STFX Coach K Invitational tournament. They defeated the host STFX X-Men 75-71 in the championship game on Saturday evening. It was the first ever STFX tournament title for the Panthers.

They won the game with 0.5 seconds left on the clock on free throws as the game was tied 71-71 down the wire but Kyree Thompson drained four free throws at the end to secure the win as the X-Men were assessed a technical foul after the initial foul.

Thompson finished with 24 points in the game and earned tournament MVP honours, taking home the Ernie Foshay Memorial Award.

His teammate Kamari Scott was named to the tournament all-star game. He had a double-double in the championship game with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

For the X-Men, DJ Jackson, Jeff Ngandu and Gatluak James all earned tournament all-star recognition.

Jackson had a double-double night with 26 points and 11 rebounds. James scored 14 points.

In the tournament consolation game also played on Saturday, Saint Mary's defeated Acadia 80-59. Huskies forward Eliel Nsoseme was the fifth recipient of a tournament all-star award.

The Panthers had advanced to the championship game with a 97-65 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday night.

The X-Men played to an 86-65 win over Acadia on Friday night. In that game Jeff Ngandu led the X-Men with a double-double night, scoring 21 points and hauling in 13 rebounds.

Gatluak James also had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds while DJ Jackson scored 14 and Matt Pennell had 13 off the X bench.

Next on the X-Men schedule is another pre-season tournament October 18-19 when they travel to Kingston, Ont. for the Queen's Invitational.

-30-

Recap courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Athletics