X-Men Bounce REDS

(HALIFAX, NS) The top-seeded STFX X-Men handed the fourth-ranked UNB REDS a 90-55 loss on Saturday afternoon in their 2025 Bell AUS Men's Basketball Championship semi-final game, paving the way for X to play in their fourth AUS title game in the past five years.

The X-Men await the winner of Saturday night's semi-final between the UPEI Panthers and Cape Breton University Capers in Sunday's gold medal game.

The X-Men showed no rust Saturday afternoon after earning a bye to the semis thanks to their first-place finish during the regular season. They came out of the gate fast and took a 22-13 lead into the second quarter.

STFX guard D.J. Jackson, who led the nation in scoring during the regular season averaging 24.4 points per game, found another gear, scoring 33 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out six assists. And he did all that after sitting out most of the first quarter after picking up two quick fouls. 

X led 50-33 lead at halftime.

UNB looked to duplicate Friday's comeback win over Memorial but could not find the bottom of the basket in the second half, shooting 29-percent from the field in the third quarter and just 16-percent in the fourth. 

Marcus Barnes scored 27 for the REDS in their come-from-behind quarter-final win Friday night over Memorial, but struggled from the field on Saturday, shooting just 4-for-17 from the field and finishing with 11 points.

Brandon Laryea led the REDS with 13 points, seven of those coming in the first quarter. He also had four assists.

Conner Landell grabbed seven rebounds, and Tim Ellison came off the UNB bench to score 10 points.

RECAP BY: Brody Mark/Atlantic University Sport

PHOTOS BY: Nick Pearce/for Atlantic University Sport