CIS No. 8 Axemen split weekend at home vs UPEI

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Twenty five turnovers converted into 28 points gave the UPEI Panthers an 88-80 victory over the CIS No. 9 ranked Acadia Axemen, who fall to 8-3 yet still retain first place in the AUS despite the loss. The Acadia loss resulted in a split weekend against UPEI and a 3-1 regular season series win for the Axemen.

Fifth year forward Owen Klassen netted 17 points and 10 rebounds in the loss and was named Acadia's Player of the Game, while teammates Anthony Sears and Shaquille Smith added 15 points apiece. Second year stand-out Kyle Arsenault added 12 points and 10 boards.

Ellis Ffrench, the Subway Player of the Game for the Panthers, posted 19 points and was 7-8 from the line. Ffrench scored six in the opening frame, but Acadia still lead 25-22 after the first. Kyle Arsenault had seven points in the first quarter.

UPEI continued to pressure Acadia with a two-man full-court press, creating 18 Acadia first half turnovers. The Axemen were held to 16 points and defensively gave up 26 points to an aggressive Panthers squad. The opening half finished with a 48-41 Panther lead.

In the second half, Panther Deontay Smith scored 10 points in the third frame, stretching UPEI's lead to 72-59 entering the final quarter. Acadia closed the margin by six with six minutes remaining in the game on a three drained by second year forward Kyle Arsenault, but it was not enough to gain on a Panther's cushion.

Ffrench led the Panthers with 19 points while Smith added 17. Donathan Moss and Geoff Doane both scored 14 points.

The Axemen will have two four-point games this week as they face the Saint Mary's Huskies on Wednesday night and then host Cape Breton on Friday, while UPEI heads home to take on the strong UNB Varsity Reds next weekend.

Submitted by Ashley Hasler – Acadia Sports Information