Rookie guard AJ Simmonds looks for next move

WOLFVILLE, NS - Still missing key basketball Axemen Anthony Sears to an ankle injury, Acadia pulled off a convincing 79-71 win against a talented Calgary Dinos basketball team in the second last home exhibition game this season.

Acadia's Jonathan Tull put in a good performance, leading the Axemen with 21 points in 28 minutes of play. Calgary's Thijin Moses had a game high 24 points including 9 rebounds.

After one quarter the Dinos edged Acadia 23-22, but a second quarter explosion pushed the Axemen out to a 39-33.

Acadia maintained the lead for the entire second half except for a Clay Mulumba Mbayi shot at 6:52 of the third quarter that tied the game at 42.

The Axemen pushed their lead to a game high 14 points with 1:23 remaining in the game and settled for the 79-71 victory.

Acadia's Anthony Ashe added 16 points to the team total while Owen Klassen added 13 points and 10 rebounds - nine of which were important defensive boards. Tyler Scott netted 10 points.

The Axemen were 27% from the distant arc but made up for the lack of three pointers with 80% from the charity strip.

Head Coach Stephen Baur was positive about the win but was short in praising the entire play of the game. "We defended well tonight, which is crucial to our success, but too many fouls gave them points. Every night we want to get better on both ends, and there is a lot of room on offense".

The Axemen improve to 5-0 in preseason play and will host the Guelph Gryphons who lost 93-68 to the Saint Mary's Huskies in tonight's other preseason game in AUS men's basketball.