Huskies strong offense powers past X-Men in 100-86 win

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's guard Jasha'jaun Downey poured in a career-high 41 points, as the Huskies defeated the STFX X-Men 100-86 Atlantic University Sport men's basketball action on Friday night at the Homburg Centre.

The high scoring affair began with reigning AUS MVP D.J. Jackson hitting a three to open the scoring for STFX. Five straight points from Huskies guard Dawson John gave SMU a 9-5 lead, before another John lay-in, followed by the first three of the night for Downey who extended the Huskies lead to 16-7.

The X-Men stormed back with two straight lay-ins from guard Tariq Armstrong, followed by a Jackson and-one giving the visitors a 22-20 advantage. The two teams continued to exchange leads, but Downey scored five more of his 12 first quarter points to give the Huskies a 28-26 lead through the opening 10 minutes of play.

The Huskies offensive explosion continued into the second quarter, as they started off on a quick 10-5 run, led by six points from guard Jayrell Diggs. STFX responded with a dunk from Koat Thomas to cut the Huskies lead to 38-35. That's when Diggs and X-Men guard Matt Pennell got in an old fashioned three-point shootout, with each hitting three consecutive triples, with Pennell's last tying the game at 47-47, before Phoenyx Wyse scored back-to-back buckets, giving STFX a 51-49 lead.

But that would be the X-Men's last lead of the night, thanks largely to Downey's explosive scoring, as he hit back-to-back threes to end the half, sending SMU into the locker room with a 58-53 advantage through 20 minutes of play.

Downey led all scorers with a ridiculous 25 points on 8/11 from the field and 4/6 from beyond the arc in the first half, while Diggs chipped in 13 of his 16 first half points in the second quarter. The X-Men were led by Wyse's 10 points and nine a-piece from Pennell and guard Thomas.

Half-time didn't cool off Downey and Diggs, as they each hit early threes to extend the Huskies lead to 64-55. That's when John took over with four straight steals, leading to five straight points for him, and another four for Downey, as the Huskies lead blossomed to 73-59.

Pennell responded with a three for the X-Men, but Downey simply could not be contained, scoring two more lay-ups on his way to 13 third quarter points, with the Huskies taking their largest lead of the night, 81-62.

Once again STFX closed the quarter strong, with four points straight from Thomas helping to cut the deficit to 13 points, but Downey closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating lay-in to send the Huskies into the fourth quarter with a 87-72 lead.

Downey opened up the fourth quarter with his sixth and final three of the night, pushing the lead to 90-72. But that would be all his scoring for the night, as John and guard Jahsemar Olembe helped the Huskies close out the fourth quarter, on their way to a convincing 100-86 victory.

Huskies guard Jasha'jaun Downey was named Player of the Game, exploding for a career-high 41 points on 14/20 from the field, 6/10 from three and a perfect 7/7 from the free-throw line, adding five rebounds, two steals and two assists.

John chipped in 22 points and five steals for the Huskies, while Diggs added 21 points – 16 in the first half - and three steals of his own.

The X-Men were led by their All-Canadian guard Jackson who scored 20 points and added four assists, while Pennell chipped in 17 off the bench, and Wyse added 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Huskies win snaps a three-game losing streak, improving their record to 2-6 on the campaign. Saint Mary's will look to keep the momentum rolling on home court on Saturday, Nov. 22, as they host the Acadia Axemen (6-3) at 8 p.m. at the Homburg Centre.

The X-Men loss drops their record to 5-3 on the season. STFX will return to home court on Saturday, Nov. 22, as they host the UPEI Panthers (3-5) at 8 p.m. in Antigonish, N.S.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics