The blue and white began the 2009-10 campaign with a bang in a 95-62 defeat of Lee Academy of Maine at the Eric Garland Tourney in Fredericton on Friday.  Lee is an elite Prep School whose roster is usually filled with NCAA D1 prospects.  X got out of the gate quickly, and dominated the first half of play, resulting in a 49-20 half time lead. 

Alberto Rodriguez led 5 X-Men in double figures with an impressive 17 point, 12 rebound double double.  Christian Upshaw contributed 16 points, and Jeremy Dunn 15 points and 8 rebounds.  Second year guard Jordan Hope showed that he is ready to step up and increase his role on the team this season by contributing 14 points.  First year player Riiny Ngot got off to a good start with 11 rebounds, 10 points and 5 blocks.  Ngot, who has not played for almost 2 years, is making good strides in learning his role in X' offensive schemes. Overall, the X-Men out-rebounded Lee by a whopping 64-34 margin in the game. 

The news was not all good from the contest.  Prized recruit Charlie Spurr had to leave the game after playing 16 minutes with a minor leg injury.  He is expected to sit out Saturday's contest vs. host UNB and perhaps return for Sunday's contest vs. UQUAM.  Veteran guard Will Silver aggravated an existing foot injury, and may sit out the remainder of the weekend.  In addition, second year X-Man Will Donkoh banged up his elbow and is questionable for the UNB game today.  In addition to the injuries sustained, the X-Men committed 33 turnovers and missed 18 free throws.  It's early in the season and there's a lot of work to be done.