Anthony Sears looks to drive to hook vs SMU

HALIFAX, NS - With a 38-30 halftime lead, the Acadia Axemen were able to fend off several Saint Mary's advances to hold onto a 76-75 victory, despite a last second effort by the Huskies.

Third year forward Owen Klassen's double-double, that included 16 points and 14 rebounds, inspired the Axemen's edging of the Saint Mary's Huskies and improving their record to 8-4. Teammate Anthony Sears netted a team high 22 points.

Falling behind early in the first quarter, first year guard Anthony Ashe sank a three pointer at the four minute mark to give Acadia it's first lead of the game.Tied at 17 on a Miguel Pink three point shot, the Axemen jostled for a two point lead at the end of the quarter.

Pushing out to an eight point lead with just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Axemen closed out the first half with an eight point margin that was regained by Ashe's second three point basketball in the first half.

Equalling the game six times in the third quarter, the Huskies tied the game at 55 at the end of the third frame. Saint Mary's pushed hard and created a six point lead at the 5:52 mark of the final quarter on a Miguel Pink three point shot.

An Owen Klassen dunk and a three point basket by Sean Stoqua changed the momentum of the game in the closing minutes. With a 74-71 Axemen lead with just over 40 seconds remaining in the game, Huskie Brian Rouse tied the game at 75 with four seconds remaining.

Klassen's last crack at winning the game drew a foul, offering Acadia two free throws to put the win out of reach with less than four seconds remaining. Klassen missed the first and sank the eventual game winner with 1.6 seconds remaining.

Huskie Tory Fassett posted a game high 28 points and 11 rebounds, while teammates Jerome Smith and Miguel Pink added 14 points each for the losing cause. Axemen Sean Stoqua, Jonathan Tull and Anthony Ashe had 16, 10 and 10 points respectively.

Head Coach Stephen Baur was glad to pull off an all important win against a very good Huskie team. “This was a good win for us.  To grind out a physical win on the road is a good building block for us.  We showed some good moments defensively but have to continue to grow together on that end of the floor.  We have the opportunity to play SMU again in our next game, and we have to clean up our offense.  The ball has to continue to move and we have to reduce turnovers.  Better offense puts us in a better spot to defend, they are predictable shots and we can get back.”

Acadia will host the Huskies for their third meeting next Wednesday night in Wolfville. The regular season series is tied at one as Saint Mary's drops to a 6-8 record and sixth place in the AUS while the Axemen trail the first place UPEI Panthers by two points.