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Capers topple X-Men from the ranks of undefeated

Women Capers women have little trouble in their victory over X-Women

Carter

The Cape Breton Post
By Greg MacVicar
Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY — The St. FX X-men basketball team is no longer undefeated.

The Cape Breton University Capers men's basketball team picked up a big four points as they edged their previously undefeated perennial rivals from Antigonish by a score of 85-82 in Atlantic University Sport play at CBU's Sullivan Field House, Wednesday night.

In earlier women's play, Karmen (Turbo) Brown, in her final regular season home game, scored 21 points to lead the Capers to a 74-59 defeat of the X-Women.

In their final home game of the regular season, the Capers held a 23-15 advantage after one quarter, but the X-Men poured it on in the second quarter, cutting CBU's lead to seven points at halftime, 43-36.

The third quarter was the lowest-scoring 10 minutes of the match, with the Capers leading 61-54 heading into the stretch.

The fourth quarter was full of ups and down, with the X-Men storming back with key three-point shots and taking a six-point lead, 69-63, their first lead since early in the first quarter.

But CBU's Paris Carter scored eight-consecutive points to put the home side up 71-69 and pace their late comeback.

With the score 85-82 in favour of the Capers, a forced three-point shot by St. F.X.'s Jeremy Dunn at the buzzer would have tied the game, but he missed.

Leading the CBU men were Carter with 21 points and six rebounds, Jimmy Dorsey posting 19 points and eight rebounds, and Phillip Nkrumah chipping in with 11 points and seven rebounds.

The X-Men were paced by Christian Upshaw with 21 points and five rebounds, Jeremy Dunn recording 20 points, and William Silver finishing with 10 points.

"It was a really crazy game," said Capers head coach Jim Charters. "I think the hype kind of affected both teams a little bit. Both teams had bad stretches that were longer than normal this time of the year. But in terms of entertainment value for the fans, it was awesome for that."

The Capers (17-1 for 48 points), who host the AUS men's championship, March 12-14 at Centre 200, are slated to play two more road games, including a rematch with the No. 2 X-Men (15-1 for 40 points) in Antigonish, Feb. 26.

"For the return match-up, we need to be more consistent at the offensive end of the court," said Charters. "And be able to get the shots we want over a longer period of time."

Capers Mark McGarrigle, Chris Noddle and Ryan Roper played their final regular season home game for CBU, Wednesday.

Karmen Brown

On the women's side, Brown added eight rebounds. Her teammate Kari Everett followed with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Kelsey Hodgson, also in her last regular season match at the Sullivan Field House, was good for seven points and nine rebounds.

Pacing the X-Women were Kristen Jones posting 17 points and 12 rebounds, Ashley Stephen added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Camesha McKenzie chipped in 10 points.

"Things started to go well for us after the first quarter," said Capers women's head coach Fabian McKenzie, referring to the 12-6 advantage St. F.X. held following the first 10 minutes of play.

"But once we settled down, we were able to get into some rhythm and some players stepped up and had a huge game for us. Karmen Brown was outstanding, Kari Everett was outstanding."

Wednesday's game was the last of the regular season for the No. 1 Capers (19-1 for 54 points), who host the AUS women's championship at the Sullivan Field House, Feb. 26-28.

gmacvicar@cbpost.com