X-Men tip-off exhibition season at UNB tournament

The StFX X-Men posted an 0-3 record in exhibition basketball action over the weekend at the UNB Eric Garland Tournament in Fredericton in their first taste of pre-season action.

The X-Men wrapped up play Sunday with a 98-71 loss to the Ottawa GeeGees.

Off the bench, Dave Benoit and Julius Antoine led the X-Men with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Five GeeGee starters hit double digits, led by Johnny Berhanemeskel, with 22.

Antoine, who also had four steals, and Alexander Arthur led the blue and white with four rebounds apiece.

Guard Jameel Williamson led the X-Men with seven assists, while adding four steals.

The X-Men were without guards Will Donkoh and Davonte Provo, both injured Saturday night in the match-up with the UNB Varsity Reds.

In that game, the host team rode a 28-10 third quarter to an 82-65 win over the X-Men.

Javon Masters, with 22, Will McFee (19) and Daniel Quirion (15) scored in double figures for the Varsity Reds.

Arthur led the X-Men with 13, while Rodrigo Madera added nine points. Madera also led StFX with six rebounds.

Donkoh collected four assists to lead the team and also contributed eight points.

The blue and white opened weekend action with a 71-65 loss against the Laval Rouge et Or. In a close game, the Rouge et Or led the X-Men 41-37 at half-time.

Karl Demers-Belanger and Antoine Beaumier led Laval with 18 and 12 points, respectively.

Four X-Men reached double figures: Arthur, with 13, Donkoh (11), Tyrell and Madera, with ten points each.

Provo led the blue and white with four assists, while Madera was the team's top rebounder, with 11.

The X-Men return to the court this weekend (Oct. 11-13), when they compete in tournament play at the University of Ottawa at the Jack Donahue Memorial.

With several injuries in the line-up, the X-Men will be sending somewhat of a depleted roster for games against Queen's, Ottawa and McGill.

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