CAPERS Complete Big Comeback over X-Men

SYDNEY – Trailing by more than 20 points during the first half, the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (3-7) rallied for a dramatic victory over the rival STFX X-Men (10-2) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) basketball action on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Fieldhouse. 

The top team in the conference standings got off to a fast start in the first quarter; keyed by back-to-back three-pointers from Avan Nava (Mississauga, ON) and Antoine Vernon (Hamilton, ON), the X-Men jumped to an 11-2 edge in the opening three minutes.

In his first home court action in more than a season-and-a-half, veteran forward Paul Watson (Mississauga, ON) spurred an answer from the Capers with top-shelf assists on baskets from freshman guard Justus Peuser (Geisenheim, Germany) – a three-pointer – and Tyson Cato (Ajax, ON).

The Caper surge was a short-lived one, as the X-Men – a U Sports top-10 program this season – torched the home team with a 16-0 run, one keyed by seven consecutive points from Dondre Reddick (Antigonish, NS).

The X-Men led 30-10 after the first quarter.

The teams traded baskets for most of the first six minutes of the second quarter.

When Jason Callaghan (Sydney, NS) drained a three-pointer with just less than four minutes remaining, the Capers trailed 43-24, but the X-Men answered with consecutive hoops from Reddick to maintain a tight grip on the contest.

In the final minute before halftime, the veteran guard added five consecutive points, including another shot from downtown, to slice the X-Men edge to 49-32.

Cato completed an old-fashioned three-point play at the buzzer, which trimmed the X-Men's lead to 51-35 heading to the locker room.

The Capers tipped off the third quarter in dramatic fashion, with Callaghan completing a four-point play after he was fouled while making a three-pointer.

The X-Men answered and maintained a healthy edge – 63-48 – in the opening minutes of the stanza.

But from there, it was the Chris Ruta (Calgary, AB) show for CBU, with the sophomore forward combining his offensive and defensive talents to help ignite a hard-fought comeback for the home team. Along with his scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, Callaghan continued his hot shooting and Peuser deftly quarterbacked the Caper attack.

CBU outscored STFX 29-13 in the third quarter, including 16 -1 to close out the frame.

The rivals were deadlocked 64-64 heading to the fourth quarter.

In that final 10 minutes, the X-Men jumped out to a five-point edge, keyed by a stellar 'and-1' three-point effort from Reddick, but Watson answered with an electrifying four-point play.

The sides continued to trade baskets in the nip-and-tuck affair.

Midway through the fourth quarter, after Ruta drained the second of consecutive three-pointers the game was knotted at 79-79.

Down the stretch, neither side gave an inch, with the Capers taking their largest lead of the contest – 85-81 – with just less than two minutes remaining in regulation time.

After first-year guard Steven Levnaic (Stoney Creek, ON) swished a corner three-pointer to shave the CBU edge to 85-84, Cato made a key lay-up as the shot clock wound down to help seal the deal.

While the X-Men were looking for a game-tying three-pointer in the final 20 seconds, the Capers forced a turnover, which led to a game-ending basket for Cato.

Ruta – the Subway player of the game – finished with a double-double (20 points and 15 rebounds), while adding five blocked shots and three assists.

Callaghan scored a game-high 22 points while adding five rebounds and five assists.

Cato contributed 16 points and six rebounds, while Peuser chipped in nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Watson added seven points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Reddick and David Muenkat (Brampton, ON) led the X-Men with 18 points apiece, while Vernon (13), Deon Ejim (Brampton, ON) and Nava, with 10 each, also scored in double digits.

The Capers will return to action on Friday, Jan. 13, when they host the Dalhousie Tigers at Sullivan Fieldhouse.

The X-Men will be back on the court Saturday, Jan. 14, with the Tigers making a stop on Coach K Court at the Saputo Centre in Antigonish.

Tip-off for both weekend match-ups is 8 p.m.

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