Axemen back on track with 90-82 win over Huskies

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – A break-out game by rookie Trevon Grant (Nassau, Bahamas) helped the Acadia Axemen snap a two-game losing streak with a 90-82 win over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies.

Grant, who was named the Subway Player of the Game, put up 22 points off the bench and led the Axemen in points.

Out to a 24-17 first quarter lead, the Axemen pushed the lead to 46-34 by the end of the first half. Grant's effort accounted for 13 of the team's 46 first half points.

The Axemen posted their largest lead of 16 points in the second quarter with 1:53 remaining, but the Huskies would work back to a three-point lead with 56 seconds remaining in the third frame. A 28-17 third quarter challenge by Saint Mary's would make the game interesting in the fourth quarter home stretch.

Tied at 59 on the first of two made free throws by Huskie Achuil Lual (Ottawa, Ont.), Saint Mary's would hold the lead until the closing seconds of the third quarter.

Ahead 67-62, Acadia would allow the Huskies to tie the game at 71 with 6:32 remaining on a Marquis Clayton (Halifax, N.S.) layup.

As the game approached the final minute, the Axemen held tight on an 83-82 lead, but senior forward Kyle Arseneault's (Fredericton, N.B.) banked three-pointer solidified the win, giving Acadia an 87-82 lead that Saint Mary's would not overcome.

Axemen head coach Kevin Duffie was happy with the win and the work in preparing for the Huskies. "Saint Mary's is a very athletic and veteran team so we felt it was important to manage them in transition and make them earn all their buckets", commented Duffie. "We adjusted our starting lineup to try and match their size and I think that was a key for us on the defensive end."

Grant's 22 points was overshadowed by Huskie Brian Rouse's (Mississauga, Ont.) 26 points and six rebounds. Lual and Theon Reefer (Toronto, Ont.) netted 16 and 17 points respectively.

Acadia's Erik Nissen (Quispamsis, N.B.) delivered an impressive game that included 19 points, while Arseneault added 16 points. Ben Miller (Winnipeg, Man.) was six for six from the three throw line and provided 16 points. Rookie Jerome Mugambi Oakville, Ont.) had a strong rebounding game with 10 rebounds – eight of which were defensive.

The Axemen, who improve to 5-5, face Dalhousie next Thursday at home. Acadia lost last week to the Tigers in overtime. Saint Mary's, who drop to 5-5, will host Dalhousie next Sunday.