X-Men outlast Huskies 95-88

Antigonish, N.S. - The StFX X-Men (4-13) scored a 95-88 victory over the rival Saint Mary's Huskies (9-9) Friday night at the Oland Centre.

In the opening four minutes of the first quarter, led by first-year guard Akil Charles (Glenn Dale, MD), with six points, the X-Men burst to a 9-2 advantage.

Keyed by five consecutive points from Daniel Passley (Mississauga, ON), including a three-pointer, StFX increased their advantage to 22-10.

After the Huskies closed the opening frame with four points in a row, the X-Men led 22-14.

With an 11 to six surge to start the second quarter, StFX took their largest lead - 33-20 - after a three-point play from Charles.

Led by baskets from Theon Reefer (Toronto, ON) and a three-point play from former X-Men guard Marquis Clayon (Halifax, NS), the Huskies answered and trimmed the StFX lead to 39-33 at halftime.

Charles led the X-Men with 13 first-half points, while Kemar Alleyne (Scarborough, ON) topped the Huskies with nine.

In the third quarter, on a tap-in by Kevin Bercy (Kanata, ON), the X-Men extended to a 50-42 lead in the first four minutes.

On the second three-pointer of the game by Passley, the X-Men went up 58-50, while after another Bercy score, the home team led 62-50.

Alleyne and Brian Rouse (Mississauga, ON) spearheaded an 8-0 burst for the Huskies, the X-Men edge shrank to 62-58.

Heading into the fourth quarter, StFX led by four points - 64-60.

In the final 10 minutes, ignited by the interior play of Bercy and Cameron Walker (Dallas, TX), along with five points from freshman guard Tristen Ross (Truro, NS), including a three-pointer, the X-Men went on a 11-2 run, which gave them a 75-62 lead.

Led by Reefer, the Huskies responded with a 6-0 stretch to trim the lead to seven points.

StFX answered, with Passley giving his team an 81-71 lead with less than five minutes left in regulation.

After a driving lay-up by Charles, the X-Men took a late 87-73, but the Huskies would not quit.

On the shooting of Clayton and Reefer, the Huskies cut the X-Men lead to 91-88 with only 25 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

The X-Men were able to withstand the final Saint Mary's rush, hitting key free throws down the stretch to seal the deal.

For StFX, Charles led the way with 19 points, with Passley - the Subway player of the game - scored a season-best 18, while chipping in two rebounds, two assists and one steal. 

Charles also contributed five assists and two steals, while Walker collected a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with nine points and three assists.

Bercy pulled down 14 points and eight rebounds, while Antoine added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Davonte Provo (East Preston, NS) dished out 14 assists, along with chipping in 12 points, seven rebounds and one steal.

For the Huskies, Reefer scored a game-high 22, while adding seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one blocked shot.

Clayton, off the bench, finished with 18 points, seven assists and one rebound, while Rouse finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Osman Barrie (Ottawa, ON), with 13, and Alleyne (11) also hit double digits in scoring for the Huskies. Both finished with seven rebounds, while Alleyne notched six assists. 

The X-Men will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 20, when they host the rival Cape Breton University Capers in a 8 p.m. tip-off.

The Huskies will return to the court Tuesday, Feb. 23, when they travel to Wolfville to face the Acadia Axemen.

Game time is 8 p.m.