Axemen sweep two game weekend vs CBU

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - It was a successful weekend for the Basketball Axemen, who swept a two-game weekend match up against visiting Cape Breton, with a game two 114-99 win over the Capers.

Acadia racked up the points early, including first year Jack Campbell (Halifax, N.S.) shooting 2-2 from beyond the arc, establishing an eight-point lead by the end of first quarter.

Both teams recorded high field goal percentages, with the Capers shooting 53% and Acadia 50%. Nick de Palma (Bedford, N.S.) shooting three of four from the field, along with another strong showing from Kyle Arsenault (Fredericton, N.B.) with 13 first-half points, pushing the Axemen to a 20-point lead in the first half.

First-year guard Trevon Grant (Nassau, Bahamas) continued to make his mark this game, with 18 points, shooting 7-12, and pulling down eight rebounds.

With two Capers out of the game rotation with injuries, scoring was left to Kenny Jean-Louis (Montreal, Que.), who has averaged 19.7 points a game, and led Cape Breton with a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds.

The biggest Axemen lead of 24 points came in the third quarter after several three-point jump shots from Kyle Arsenault. The Axemen didn't back down, maintaining a solid 20-point lead heading into the final quarter.

Fouls got the best of the frustrated Caper squad in the fourth quarter, and Blake Gallatly (Maffra, Australia) was fouled out of the game, after contributing 17 points. A dunk from Christian Affolter (Bern, Switzerland) was a highlight for Cape Breton, but they were unable to gain enough momentum to create a comeback charge.

Great individual efforts from the Capers included Kyle Hankins (Burlington, Ont.) with 14 points and first year DaShaun Lalor-Crooks (Toronto, Ont.) shooting 3-3 from the arc, but was overshadowed by a red-hot offensive game from the Axemen.

Kyle Arsenault finished with a season high of 30 points and was 11 for 17 from the floor, while third year guard Ben Miller contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Arseneault, named the Subway Player of the Game for his effort, is eighth in the AUS points race and credits his teammates for his success this weekend.

"We focused on getting the ball moving and everyone was unselfish this weekend and it paid out in my favour", said Arseneault.

Acadia is now just six points behind the Saint Mary's Huskies and UNB Varsity Reds for second place in the AUS standings, while Cape Breton remains without a win so far this season.

The Axemen take on Saint Mary's next Saturday in Halifax and then return home on Friday, February 17 against a visiting StFX.

Source: Laura Jeha, Acadia Athletics Communications Office