X-Men basketball cruise to victory over Capers

The CIS ranked No. 8 X-Men were able to earn a decisive 87-68 victory over the Cape Breton Capers Wednesday night in Cape Breton. Bol Kong continued his strong play from last weekend for the X-Men and rattled off a season high 32 points for the blue and white. The X-Men were able to hold AUS leading scorer Jimmy Dorsey to only 12 points in the game.

The X-Men came out of the gate flying, mounting a 28-11 lead after one quarter of play. Kong had 13 points in the first quarter to lead the blue and white. The second quarter was much of the same for the X-Men as they outscored the Capers 27-17 to take a commanding 55-28 lead into the dressing room at half-time.  Jordan Clarke had eight points in the second quarter for the X-Men who played well defensively throughout the opening half.

Coming off an impressive 49 point performance in a win over Acadia last weekend, Capers Jimmy Dorsey was held to only six points in the first half by the StFX defense, all of which were scored in the first quarter.

The Capers seemed to wake up in the second half however, as they were able to outscore the X-Men in the final two quarters by slim margins. In the third quarter the Cape Breton outscored StFX 19-17 as Julian Smith had eight points for the hosts.  The Capers once again outscored the X-Men 21-15 in the fourth quarter as Smith once again led his team with six points, adding to his team high 15 points in the game.

Ultimately this game was won in the first half, as the X-Men mounted too big of a lead for the Capers to come back on. The final score was 87-68 for the X-Men.

Kong played his best game to date for StFX scoring a game-high 32 points and adding eight rebounds and a pair of steals. Terry Thomas continued his consistent play with 17 points and seven rebounds for the blue and white, while Jordan Clarke scored 12 and added four assists.

Jeremy Dunn contributed 10 points in the X-Men victory, along with four rebounds and three steals, and Tyrell Vernon dished nine assists and had five steals while adding four points to the X-Men tally.

Smith topped the Capers score sheet with his 15 points and four rebounds, while Doresy and Meshack Lufile each scored 12 points in the losing effort. Lufile also pulled down eight rebounds.

Looking at the numbers, the X-Men shot 44.4% from both field goal and three-point range, along with 78.9% from the free throw line. The Capers were able to shoot 37.3% from field goal range, 29.6% from three point range and 76.9% from the free throw line.

The victory moves the X-Men into sole possession of first place in the conference with a 13-4 record and 34 points. The Capers still sit in third place with a 10-7 record and 30 points, two points up on fourth place Acadia. Next on the schedule for the X-Men is a pair of games in Newfoundland to take on the eighth place Memorial SeaHawks (1-15) this Saturday and Sunday, February 18-19. The Capers next see action this Saturday in Halifax against the fifth place Dalhousie Tigers (7-9).