Axemen get the best of the Panthers

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The first quarter belonged to Junior Moaku-Matia(Hamilton, Ont.) and the Axemen, as they lead 23-15 after 10 minutes. Maoku-Matia had 11 points in the quarter and finished the game with 22, shooting 10 for 11 from the field.

Both teams found themselves in the zone in the first half, each cashing in on nearly 50% of their shots from the field and from three.

The Panthers drew closer and narrowed the gap to within one point by the end of the half, bringing the score to 42-41.

By the third quarter, the matchup started to look more like yesterday's - close and competitive. Teams traded leads throughout the frame and continued on their hot shooting streaks.

Dakelle Brooks (East Preston, N.S.) of the Panthers lead the team offensively, scoring 19 points and dishing out two assists. Brooks was the Panthers' Subway Player of the Game.

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Axemen exploded on a 15-point run before the end of the third quarter. Three successful 3-point shots in a row gave the Axemen back the lead they had in the first half.

Now with the lead in their possession, the Axemen knew they could not give the Panthers another chance to come back into the game and tightened their defense.

The Panthers would try to answer with a 10-point run of their own, but the effort was too little, too late, as they could not compose a full comeback against the Axemen.

The final score of the game was 92-81 for Acadia – the first AUS regular season win for the Axemen.

The Axemen looked like a completely different team on Saturday, making an exceptional 14 of their 28 (50%) attempted three-pointers.

Ben Miller (Winnipeg, Man.) of the Axemen finished with a game-high 23 points, 15 of those coming from three-point shots. His outstanding performance was recognized as the game's Subway Player of the Game.

The Axemen improve to 1-4 and return home after next weekend's two games in Newfoundland against Memorial. The next home game is Saturday, November 24 at 8:00 p.m. against StFX.

The Panthers play their next game at home Friday against Saint Mary's University.

Submitted by Theodore Giesen, Acadia Athletics Communications Office