Axemen edge X-Men 86-85 in mid-week game
Axemen hand X-Men their first defeat of season with close 86-85 win on Coach K Court
ANTIGONISH, NS - The Acadia Axemen handed the STFX X-Men their first defeat of the season, with a close 86-85 win on Coach K Court on Wednesday evening.
Acadia's Briawne Wilson had 25 points on the night, while Robbie Grant had 14 for the visitors. Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game DJ Jackson was the top point getter for STFX, dropping 25 along with eight assists, while Phoenix Wyse added 19.
The X-Men jumped to an 11-4 lead in the first four minutes, but two deep jumpers from Acadia's Shaquai Manswell kicked off a big responding run by the Axemen, who pulled ahead late. A trio of last-minute free-throws from Koat Thomas made it 25-24 heading into the second quarter.
Acadia came out of the break quick, with 16 points in the first four minutes. Wilson had 14 points in the first half for Acadia, who made 7 three pointers in the first 20 minutes while STFX went 3-13. While STFX had an edge in boards, the half ended with Acadia ahead 49-40.
It was the Blue and White who pushed the pace early in the third, cutting the lead the three in the first few minutes. Acadia continued making shots but a pair of Wyse free-throws and a jumper from Owen Frayne gave STFX a slim advantage in the final two minutes. Four straight points from Wilson put Acadia back on top 66-63 after 30 minutes.
Frayne tied things up on the first bucket of the fourth quarter, and things remained close from there. Back-to-back buckets from Tariq Armstrong and Jackson put X up by four with three minutes to go, but Acadia tied things up with 90 seconds left. A three pointer from Malko Young gave the visitors a one-point lead with 25 seconds left, and STFX couldn't make up the difference.
The X-Men get the chance to return the favour when they square up with Acadia on Saturday, November 7, in Wolfville.
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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics
