(HALIFAX, N.S.) The 2022 Subway AUS Men’s Basketball Championship opened on Thursday afternoon with STFX X-Men (2nd seed) going head-to-head with UNB REDS (7th seed). It was the X-Men who punched their ticket for the semifinal with a 94-76 victory.
While both teams exchanged leads throughout the first quarter, a six-point run by STFX gave the X-Men a 17-16 lead. Jamie White (Saint John, N.B.) made two baskets from the free throw line and added a layup for four points during the run.
As the first half continued, both teams took turns with the lead, with the REDS responding after a timeout with two three-point plays in close succession including a trey from Tyrell Leotaud (Ajax, Ont.). The fifth-year forward led UNB in the first half with 11 points, including making four of five free throws.
But it was STFX X-Men who left the court with a 45-38 lead at halftime. Avan Nava (Mississauga, Ont.) finished the scoring in the first half with a three-pointer, part of his team-leading 10 points in the first half. Nava finished the game with 19 points.
While the REDS started the second half strong with a 7-point run, STFX responded immediately with a run of their own, scoring 16 unanswered points to open up the lead. It opened up a 17-point lead which the X-Men didn’t let go of for the rest of the half.
STFX’s Subway Player of the Game Justin Andrew (Hamilton, Ont.) led the game in points with 20 for the X-Men, including three successful three-point plays. The fifth-year guard also had five assists and four rebounds in the win.
STFX’s Dondre Reddick (Antigonish, N.S.) led his team in rebounds with 10. The second-year guard also went two-for-two from the free throw line.
AUS rookie of the year Norm Burry (Grafton, N.B.) finished the game with seven points and three rebounds for the REDS. His teammate Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, Alta.) was the Subway Player of the Game for UNB, with 11 rebounds and 14 points.
The last time the X-Men and REDS met in the SUBWAY AUS Men’s Basketball Championship was in the 2020 semifinal, with STFX winning 84-77.
The X-Men move on to the semifinals, taking on the winner of Cape Breton vs. UPEI. Tip-off for the game is at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. Watch every game of the Women’s basketball championship on AUStv.ca.
Recap by Jonathan Briggins