Source: Theodore Giesen, Acadia Athletics
WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen posted a comeback win on Saturday night, grabbing an important 4-point game from the Dalhousie Tigers and improving to 2-6.
After trailing the Tigers 16-5 to start the first frame, the Axemen worked hard to get back into the game before the quarter ended. Acadia went on an 8-point run to close out the quarter and bringing Acadia to within three points in a 16-13 Tigers advantage.
Ben Miller (Winnipeg, Man.) of the Axemen shot 3/4 from behind the arch in the first, contributing nine of his team's 13 points, while Tiger Alex Carson (Lower Sackville, N.S.) of the netted 10 of his team's first 16 points.
Nick De Palma (Bedford, N.S.) ran off the court holding his leg after coming in contact with a Dalhousie player in the second quarter. He would return to the bench in the third frame.
Acadia worked hard to keep up with the Tigers in the second, though they would fall back a few points. At the half, the Tigers would hold a 32-25 lead over the host Axemen.
Carson added two points in the second to lead all players with 12 points.
The game remained close throughout the third quarter, and the Axemen battled hard to ensure the lead would not grow.
With one second remaining on the clock in the third quarter, Trevon Grant (Wolfville, N.S.) made a three-point shot to give Acadia their first lead of the game, bringing the home crowd to their feet. The Axemen went into the last break ahead 52-51.
Neither team was going to allow the other to get the upper hand in the last frame. Tough defensive play by the Axemen allowed Acadia to hold onto the lead into the dying minutes of the fourth and final frame.
With 4 minutes left in the game, Acadia had built themselves a 7-point lead.
The Axemen held onto their lead and won the game 75-69.
Axeman Jacques Lukusa went 17-2-3 on the night and made 9 of his 11 attempted free-throws. Lukusa's performance earned him the Subway Player of the Game award.
Ben Miller and Trevon Grant (Nassau, Bahamas) added 15 and 13 points respectively, while new teammate Teritayo Shittu (Burlington, Ont.) had seven points including a timely three point basket at the 5:10 mark to give Acadia a 62-56 lead. Shittu, a transfer from StFX, played in his first game as an Axeman.
The Axemen were able to take advantage of their three-point chances, making 11 of 22 attempts. The Tigers only made 6 of their 23 three-point shots.
Xavier Ochu of the Tigers had a fantastic game, shooting 4/8 from 3 and totalling a game-high 21 points. Ochu was named his team's player of the game. Carson, who netted 12 points in the opening half, went cold in the second half with only one point – in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers play their next game when they visit StFX on Wednesday evening.
The Axemen host Memorial University for two games next weekend, with the first on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.