Third-quarter surge keys X-Men win

The StFX X-Men (2-2) led by as many 20 points in a 75-67 win over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies Saturday afternoon at the Oland Centre in Antigonish.

Led by fifth-year guards Jordan Clarke and Will Donkoh, the X-Men outscored the Huskies 30-18 in the third quarter, which extended their five-point halftime lead (29-24) to 59-42.

"We are playing with much more intensity," Clarke said in a halftime interview during the StFX Varsity Club webcast on Bell AUS TV.

"We were really soft the other night and we wanted to make them take tougher shots," he added.

Wednesday night, the Huskies cruised to a 105-76 home win over the X-Men at The Homburg Centre in Halifax.

Three days later, the game story was a much different one, with StFX ramping up the defense from the opening tip-off, while holding the Huskies to seven first-quarter points.

Clarke led the X-Men with 20 points, including 12-for-12 from the charity stripe, while adding six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Donkoh added 15 points, along with eight rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Post player Rodrigo Madera collected a double-double – 14 points and 16 rebounds.

Terrence Taylor and Riley Halpin led the Huskies, ranked No. 8 in the CIS, with 12 points apiece.

Brian Rouse added 11 off the bench, while Theon Reefer scored 10 points. Taylor also collected a team-high 11 rebounds.

The X-Men return to action Saturday, Nov. 23, when they travel to St. John's to face the Memorial Sea-Hawks (0-3) for a pair of weekend games.

The next StFX home game is Saturday, Nov. 30, when the UPEI Panthers visit Oland Centre. Game time is 8 p.m.