Tigers defeat X-Men in AUS final

The #3 ranked Dalhousie Tigers are the 2009 AUS champions after a 72-60 win over the #1 ranked StFX X-Men Saturday night at the Halifax Metro Centre in front of over 5500 fans.

Player of the Game Josh Beattie exploded for 20 points in the second half for the Tigers en route to the win. He scored 25 points total in the game including 21 from three-point range, and also had 8 rebounds.

The two teams were tied 27-27 at half-time as the two teams traded marginal leads throughout the first half.

The Tigers came out with a mission in the third quarter, going on a 16-3 scoring run and building up a quick 10 point lead. Beattie was hot from three-point range for the Tigers while the X-Men were only 5 for 23 from the outside circle. Dalhousie led 54-45 after the third quarter.

The Tigers continued their strong play in the fourth and final quarter and were able to hold off the X-Men who were only able to close the lead to six points. With the 72-60 final, the Tigers earned their second ever AUS banner and a trip to the CIS championship in Ottawa next weekend.

Beattie led the Tigers with 25 points while Tournament MVP Simon Farine scored 16 points and had 11 rebounds. Stephen Lopez contributed 10 points.

Terrence Taylor led the X-Men with 15 points while Christian Upshaw scored 13 points and also had 8 rebounds. Jeremy Dunn contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds.

The X-Men will await a CIS decision on the wild card berth for the final spot in the CIS championship.