UNB Over X 101-95

(ANTIGONISH, NS) The defending Atlantic University Sport champion UNB Reds spoiled the St FX X-Men's home opener on Friday, overcoming an early deficit on route to a 101-95 victory.

Players on both teams took the old saying that you miss one-hundred percent of the shots you don't take to heart as shots were fired, and mostly landed, from everywhere.

A quick St FX start forced coach Brent Baker to go to his bench early. 

Daniel Levitt (Montreal, PQ) and Ogot Ogot (Edmonton, AB) each had five points as a big X-Men lead turned into just five points after the first quarter at 28-23.

X's big men, Azaro Roker (Nassau, Bahamas) and Daniel Passley (Mississauga, ON), were dominant down low and were excellent throughout the game for the home side.

The second quarter saw both teams continue their hot shooting, but the pace of the game slowed slightly as UNB altered the game to a more half-court style game.

Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB), who finished with 21 points on the night, helped to stem the X-Men's desire to play at a furious pace. The Reds would take a 54-53 lead to the half.

The third quarter saw Reds point guard Daniel Pitcher (Sydney, AUS) play well, contributing nine points, going 4-for-4 from the floor, as UNB extended the lead. The Reds were up 79-71 after three quarters of play.

The fourth quarter saw X inch closer, but they were unable to take over the game. The X-Men had UNB's lead down to five in the closing minutes, but the Reds held on for the win.

Reds forward Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, AB) was excellent. He was dominant in the blue paint, both offensively and defensively. He contributed 11 points in the fourth quarter alone, and was one of six Reds players to finish in the double digits.

Spurrell was the Subway Player of the Game Chris Spurrell.

Doumbouya finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, and Jesse Kendall (Guelph, ON) scored 12. Tyrell Leotaud (Toronto, ON), Pitcher and Levitt each added 10 points apiece.

Justin Andrew (Hamilton, ON) led the X-Men with 24 points and nine assists. Passley scored 22 and had eight rebounds.

Both teams are back on the court Saturday, in a re-match. Game time is 8:00pm.

RECAP BY: Bart Sears, StFX Sports Information

PHOTOS BY: Kendra Vigneau/St FX Athletics