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X Wins Thriller Over Crimson of Harvard

Make it 2-0 vs. NCAA division I competition at the Oland Centre for the basketball X-Men.  St.F.X. won a thriller over Harvard, 70-67, in front of a large, enthusiastic early season crowd. 

X kicked off the game with its trademark tenacious defense and sprinted out to a early 11-4 lead.  During the half, the X-Men contested virtually every shot and limited the Crimson to about 30% shooting (8-29) while firing at a 53% clip themselves.  Neil MacDonald was extremely active in the paint, with at least 2 blocks and altering several other shots. (Note that blocks do not appear in the attached box score for first half due to some technical glitches encountered during the game by scorekeeping staff).  The X-Men led at the half, 35-30. 

In the second half, X started strong and built leads of up to 13 points.  However, during about a 5 minute stretch, the X-Men seemed to have a bit of a letdown and turned the ball over on several successive possessions.  This allowed the Crimson back in the game.  With under  2 minutes on the clock, the X-Men lead was whittled to 1 point.  However, as was the case throughout the game, the X-Men got a key defensive stop on Harvard's next possession.  X brought the ball up the court with  Harvard trying to foul.  Zach Russell was able to get the ball to speedster Jon Bell who hit  a lay-up to put the X-Men up by 3.  On Harvard's last possession, they were unable to hit a the game-tying three they needed and X claimed the win.  For the game, the X-Men out-rebounded the larger Harvard squad 32-30.  On Friday, when the Crimson played St Mary's in Halifax (a 20 point Harvard win), the Crimson out-rebounded SMU by about a 2 to 1 margin. 

There were a number of interesting stories for the X-Men during the game. Overall, 9 X-Men made significant contributions.   Alex Stephen and John Bustin, both of whom missed all of last year with injuries, had strong games.  Stephen had 11 points and 5 boards and played some great D.  Bustin had a solid first half and hit a key 3 pointer.  As well, Rookie Tyler Richards showed why he was the top high school player in the province last year.  Richards looked extremely comfortable during the game and had a terrific second half, contributing 5 points.  Coach K demonstrated his confidence in the first year player, giving him significant minutes at key points in the game. 

Of the returning players, Zach Russell (12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals), Neil MacDonald (13 points and 9 boards) and, in particular, Garry Gallimore (14 points and tough D on Harvard scorers) had very strong games.  The box score for the game is below. 

X plays next Oct 22-24 in the Jack Donahue Memorial tournament in Ottawa.  X will get a chance to test themselves against top Canadian teams York, Ottawa U and Concordia.  X plays next at home on October 29-30 in theStFX Pizza Delight Invitational.  This year, participants include Lakehead (featuring former X-Man E.L. Adams) UCCB and UPEI. 

Official Basketball Box Score

Official Basketball Box Score
Harvard vs St.FX
10/17/04 3:00pm at Antigonish, NS
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VISITORS: Harvard
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
12 Jim Goffedo......... *  2-10   0-0    2-2    1  0  1   2   6  1  2  0  2  19
15 Ko Yada............. *  0-3    0-2    0-0    1  0  1   1   0  0  2  1  0  15
25 David Giovacchini... *  1-6    1-2    0-0    1  1  2   1   3  0  0  0  0  19
30 Brain Darcy......... *  0-1    0-0    2-2    1  1  2   1   2  0  1  0  0  15
50 Brian Cusworth...... *  3-6    0-0    3-4    4  4  8   2   9  0  4  0  0  34
13 Kevin Rogus.........    4-10   1-6    4-4    3  1  4   1  13  2  1  0  4  21
20 Tyler Klunick.......    1-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   2  0  0  0  1  15
21 Matt Stehle.........    2-4    1-1    3-4    0  2  2   4   8  2  0  0  1  10
23 Michael Beal........    4-8    1-1    1-1    0  3  3   1  10  0  1  0  0  10
31 James Lambert.......    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0  10
32 Jason Norman........    4-6    1-1    0-0    1  3  4   3   9  1  3  0  2  13
33 Zach Martin.........    1-1    1-1    0-1    0  0  0   0   3  0  0  0  0   0
44 Graham Beatty.......    1-3    0-0    0-0    2  1  3   1   2  1  0  0  0  10
54 Brad Unger..........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  0  0  0  0  10
   TEAM................                                             2
   Totals..............   23-60   6-14  15-18  14 16 30  19  67  7 16  1 10 201

TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  8-27 29.6%   2nd Half: 15-33 45.5%   Game: 38.3%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  4-7  57.1%   2nd Half:  2-7  28.6%   Game: 42.9%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half: 10-12 83.3%   2nd Half:  5-6  83.3%   Game: 83.3%   6,1

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HOME TEAM: St.FX
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
11 Zach Russell........ *  4-7    1-2    3-4    0  6  6   1  12  1  6  0  3  38
15 Neil MacDonald...... *  5-9    0-1    3-4    4  5  9   4  13  1  5  1  0  35
20 Jonathan Bell....... *  2-6    0-0    0-0    2  3  5   4   4  1  2  0  3  21
21 Michael Baxter...... *  3-8    0-1    2-5    0  1  1   2   8  0  1  0  0  18
32 Garry Gallimore..... *  6-7    2-3    0-0    2  0  2   2  14  2  3  0  1  22
03 Brandon Gorman......    0-2    0-1    0-0    1  0  1   1   0  0  1  0  0  21
10 Alexander Stephen...    4-6    0-0    3-3    3  2  5   1  11  1  1  0  1  20
22 John Bustin.........    1-2    1-1    0-0    0  2  2   1   3  1  1  0  0  20
23 Tyler Richards......    2-4    1-1    0-0    1  0  1   1   5  1  0  0  0   5
   TEAM................
   Totals..............   27-51   5-10  11-16  13 19 32  17  70  8 20  1  8 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 15-28 53.6%   2nd Half: 12-23 52.2%   Game: 52.9%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  1-3  33.3%   2nd Half:  4-7  57.1%   Game: 50.0%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  4-8  50.0%   2nd Half:  7-8  87.5%   Game: 68.8%   3,4

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Officials:
Technical fouls: Harvard-None. St.FX-None.
Attendance:
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
Harvard.......................   30   37  -   67
St.FX.........................   35   35  -   70