Axemen fall short in capturing CBU Fall Classic in Sydney

SYDNEY, N.S. - The StFX X-Men basketball team captured top honours at the CBU Invitational pre-season tournament in Sydney with a 73-66 over the rival Acadia Axemen Saturday night.

The Blue and White outscored the Axemen 20-13 in the pivotal fourth quarter to break a 53-53 tie.

Senior forward Kevin Bercy (Kanata, ON) led the X-Men with a double-double - 20 points and 19 rebounds - while adding four assists, three steals and one blocked shot.

He, along with second-year guard Akil Charles (Glenn Dale, MD), who finished with 15 points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds, garnered tournament all-star selections for the X-Men.

Off the bench, in just 17 minutes, sophomore shooting guard Tristen Ross (Truro, NS) meshed 15 points, including two baskets from beyond the arc.

The X-Men bench held a 20-11 scoring advantage over the Axemen.

After a low-scoring first quarter, Acadia led 16-11.

The X-Men bounced back in the second quarter, outscoring the Axemen 27-15, to take a 38-31 halftime lead.

Trevon Grant (Nassau, BAH) led four Acadia players in double figures, with 13 points, while Ben Miller (Winnipeg, MB), Erik Nissen (Quispamsis, NB) and Kyle Arsenault (Fredericton, NB) scored 12 apiece.

Nissen completed a double-double, with 11 rebounds, while Miller added seven assists.

The X-Men opened the tournament Oct. 20 with a 82-77 win over Thetford Prep, while the Axemen had wins against Holland College and Saint Mary's.

Bercy recorded a double-double, with 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while Charles and Julius Antoine (Woodbridge, ON) scored 13 and 12, respectively.

As part of a strong bench effort, freshman guard Justin Andrew (Hamilton, ON) chipped in 12 points, on four three-pointers, while Ross added eight points and four assists.

The X-Men will hit the road to kick off the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) regular campaign, visiting Charlottetown for a pair of games versus the UPEI Panthers, while the Axemen host Saint Mary's at home on Thursday, November 3 in Wolfville.

Provided by Corey LeBlanc, StFX Communications Office