X-Men play to commanding victory over REDS

ANTIGONISH, NS - The AUS leading STFX X-Men picked up their ninth win in a row with a commanding 103-76 victory over the visiting UNB REDS on Saturday night on Coach K Court. AUS leading scorer DJ Jackson netted 28 points in the win, good enough to earn Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game. Eden Otshudi led all scorers with 30 points for UNB, who remain tied for second place in the conference alongside Acadia.    

The fast-paced high scoring first quarter ended with the X-Men up by four points, with both teams hitting shots.  

Things slowed down in the second quarter, as the X-Men defense continued creating turnovers and making stops. Jackson hit his second three-pointer of the game in the sixth minute, with Matt Pennell hitting another on the next possession in the middle of 19-6 run, and the teams went into halftime with the score 54-32.  

The back-and-forth action continued in the third quarter, as the REDS worked to get back into the game. UNB's Eden Otshudi and STFX's Gabe Marcotullio traded three pointers in the seventh minute, and the final quarter started with the X-Men up by 25.  

UNB kept pace again with the X-Men in the fourth, but the shots kept dropping for the X-Men, with all but Blue and White one player picking up points, including 39 off the bench.  

The X-Men wrap up their home campaign next weekend, when they face the Acadia Axemen on Friday, February 6, at 8 p.m. The REDS continue their road trip next weekend, with a visit to the Saint Mary's Huskies, also on Friday at 8 p.m. 

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics