ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Men basketball team made in two wins in two days with a 94-74 win over the UNB REDS on Coach K Court on Saturday afternoon.
The X-Men pulled out to a six-point lead in the first five minutes of the opening quarter, with the REDS getting into early foul trouble, committing four to STFX's one. UNB closed the lead to three but a pair of three-pointers from STFX finished off the scoring for the quarter, which ended with the home team leading 26-15. Seven X-Men had points in the quarter, and X held the edge in rebounds 13-10.
A 9-3 run in the first three minutes of the second quarter helped the REDS close the gap, but the X-Men continued to find success from beyond the arc, with Deon Ejim (Brampton, ON) hitting two straight to reply. The REDS continued to pour on the offence in the quarter, and tied the game mid-way through.
A Justin Chase (Scarborough, ON) triple gave UNB the lead with about two minutes to go in the half, but a Jeremiah Usiosefe (Hamilton, ON) three gave the X-Men the lead back about 30 seconds later. Both teams finished the quarter with 32 points, to make the score 58-47 going into halftime.
Dondre Reddick (Antigonish, NS) and Ejim each had 11 points in the half for the home team, while Reese Zorogole (Halifax, NS) dropped 14 points for the visitors, including a trio of three-pointers.
It was a seven-point game about half way through the third quarter, with Bennett Grumbach (Toronto, ON) hitting back to back triples at around the six minute mark. The pace slowed a bit compared to the second quarter, and the X-Men led 74-63 with 10 minutes left to play.
The X-Men held UNB to five points in the first half of the final quarter, while dropping eight of their own. UNB wasn't able to close the gap, and the X-Men continued to add to the score, securing the win.
Zorogole finished with 19 points, while going 4-for-4 from the three point line, while Marcus Barnes (Kitchner, ON) added 14 points, along with five rebounds.
Ejim finished as top scorer for the X-Men, dropping 20 points including four triples, and adding 9 rebounds and two assists as he picked up player of the game honours. Koat Thomas (Waterloo, ON) added 15 points for the X-Men, including four rebounds.
The X-Men are on the road next weekend for a pair of road games against the UPEI Panthers, with the first set for Friday evening at 8 p.m. The UNB REDS also hit the court next weekend, hosting Memorial next Friday night at 8 p.m.
-30-
Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics