X-Men defeat Reds to advance to Coach K tournament final

Antigonish, NS – The STFX X-Men defeated the UNB Reds 70-58 Saturday night in the second semifinal game of the STFX Coach K Invitational tournament.

The annual exhibition tournament was re-named the Coach K Invitational this year in honour of former longtime X-Men basketball head coach Steve Konchalski who retired this past March after a stellar 46-year coaching career at STFX University.

Coach K was on hand for the ceremonial tip-off for the event which sees the X-Men advance to the championship game Sunday night at 8pm against the Dalhousie Tigers.

The Tigers defeated the Cape Breton Capers 85-62 in the earlier semifinal match. The Capers and Reds will tip-off in the tournament consolation final Sunday at 6 pm.

It was the Reds who got out to an early lead in Saturday's game as they went up 16-11 over the X-Men after the first quarter of play.

The X-Men turned the game around in the second quarter, outscoring the visitors 16-8 to build up a 27-24 halftime lead.

David Muenkat netted 13 points for the X-Men in the opening half.

The third quarter saw the X-Men continue with their sharp shooting ways, holding a 25-16 edge on the scoreclock to go up 52-40 after 30 minutes.

The Reds mounted a late fourth quarter comeback and drew even with the X-Men 18-18 in the final quarter but were unable to overcome the deficit as the host squad held on for the victory.

Muenkat finished with a game-high 25 points and also hauled in 19 rebounds for a big double-double night for the X-Men.

Avan Nava scored 11 and Antoine Vernon added 10.

Corey Nzigamasabo netted 14 points and five rebounds for the Reds, while Tyrell Leotaud scored 13 and Chris Spurrell contributed 12.

The X-Men shot 38.6% from field goal range compared to the Reds 25.4%.

Both teams will rest up but will be right back on Coach K Court Sunday evening as the winner of the 42^nd annual tournament will be crowned.

Tip-off for the Reds and Capers is 6pm, followed by the X-Men and Tigers at 8pm.

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Courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Sports Information

Steve Konchalski with the ceremonial tip-off for the Coach K Invitational tournament, re-named in his honour! #goxgo pic.twitter.com/QKSksf3LsL

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) October 23, 2021