Bercy's heroics push X-Men past Acadia

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Kevin Bercy's last second heroics helped the visiting StFX X-Men scrape past the Stu Aberdeen Challenge host Acadia Axemen with a 92-90 win.

Bercy, who was named the Subway Player of the Game, had 25 points including the last second two points for the win.

The Axemen, who trailed StFX by as much as 16 points at 7:16 of the fourth quarter, rallied back from a 77-61 deficit to 88-82. Nick De Palma closed it to a three point StFX lead after being fouled on a three point attempt. De Palma drained all three foul shots to close the gap to three.

With 8.3 seconds remaining in regulation time and the ball in Acadia's possession after a deliberate foul on Kevin Bercy resulted with both free throws being made, the Axemen's Kyle Arseneault sank the game-tying shot from the distant arc to deadlock the game at 90 with two seconds remaining.

The in-bounded ball in Acadia's end went to Bercy who pushed hard into the paint and laid up the game winner.

The Axemen finished the opening quarter with a 20-14 lead, but the X-Men went to work and closed the gap to a 36-35 lead with just over 50 seconds remaining in the hoping half.

Newcomer Trevon Grant's two made free throws ended the first half with the Axemen holding a 37-36 lead.

A Julius Antoine three pointer at 7:18 in the third quarter, gave StFX a 44-41 lead and the X-Men would hold onto the lead until the closing seconds of the game.

Bercy finished with a team high 25 points, while third year Acadia guard Nick De Palma, who was named Acadia's Subway Player of the Game, posted 32 points including four for seven from the three point line and 10 for 10 from the charity strip.

Axeman Erik Nissen led the floor with nine rebounds - eight defensive.

X-Men Cameron Walker, Akil Charles and Tristen Ross had 18, 15 and 15 points respectively.

Rookie Trevon Grant posted 16 points and veteran forward Kyle Arseneault added 18.

The StFX X-Men will take on Laval on Saturday, October 1 at 6 p.m. in the Stu Aberdeen Challenge Day two, while the Axemen will take on the 2016 CIS Champion Carleton Ravens to topped Laval 85-62 in the Challenge's first game of the opening night.