CIS men's basketball roundup: X-Men thrill down the stretch to beat Capers

Source: Krista McKenna, StFX Sports Info / Photo credit Erica Roberts

Antigonish, NS - Guard Jordan Tyrrell (Montreal, QC) soared for an acrobatic game-winning lay-up with 3.1 seconds remaining in the StFX X-Men's (3-5) dramatic 67-66 victory over the Cape Breton University Capers (3-5) Tuesday night.

Over 1200 fans at Oland Centre watched the X-Men rally from a 12-point second-half deficit to start the post-Christmas portion of the AUS regular season on a high note.

Tyrrell, the Subway player of the game, added six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Sophomore Cameron Walker (Dallas, TX) posted a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass.

Fifth-year senior Shane Coupland (Brisbane, AUS) also hit double figures with 11 points, while adding seven rebounds and two assists.

Before fouling out late in the fourth quarter, second-year guard Julius Antoine (Woodbridge, ON) scored seven of his nine points to help key the X-Men rally. For the game, he also added four rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Meshack Lufile (Burlington, ON) hit for a game-high 25 points to lead the Capers. He added nine rebounds, one blocked shot and one assist.

Off the bench, Kyle Hankins (Burlington, ON), with 11, was the only other Cape Breton player to score in double digits.

Senior Kelson Devereaux (Sydney, NS) chipped in six points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal.

The X-Men jumped to an early 12-point lead in the first quarter on the strength of two three-point shots apiece from Coupland and Tyrrell.

Cape Breton rallied to take a 29-23 lead at halftime, after holding StFX to five points in the second quarter.

Both teams made six three-pointers, while the X-Men won the battle of the boards 49 to 45.

The Capers return to action this weekend when they travel to St. John's for a pair of games versus the Memorial Sea-Hawks.

The X-Men will also hit the road, when they travel to Wolfville Saturday for a match-up with the Acadia Axemen. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.