AUS Unlike the other conferences in Canada, the AUS regular season goes into early March and thus there are plenty of games remaining. Each team plays a 20 game schedule with 4 point games interspersed into the season and, while it appears that there are wide gaps between teams currently, these gaps can be bridged quickly as UPEI did this weekend for example. At the top of the standings, three teams, Cape Breton, Acadia and St.FX, are fighting for two Friday evening byes at the AUS tournament. Acadia leads the conference and Cape Breton is still 6 points ahead of third-place X however these teams still have head-to-head games coming up. There were a pair of games yesterday:
UPEI (6-8, 24 pts.) 89 at Memorial (4-10, 8 pts.) 82 In a four-point game, the Panthers scored 51 second-half points and rallied from a 9 point halftime deficit on the road, overcoming 33 points from Seahawks fifth-year shooting guard Justin Halleran to move into a tie for 3rd place in the AUS, completing the two-game sweep in St. John's and taking all 8 weekend points from Memorial. Panthers star combo of 6'4" Sherone Edwards and 6'9" Doug McKinney combined for 48 points and 21 rebounds and UPEI went 9-20 from 3 including a 3-3 performance from Chad Macdonald. UPEI did what good teams do on the road late in the season as they made their free throws (26-29 89.7%) and took care of the ball (only 9 turnovers all afternoon). All 6 of the Panthers league victories this season have come in 4 point games and with the unique point system in the AUS, UPEI is now tied with X despite having 2 fewer wins and 4 more losses (X does have 2 games in hand).Dalhousie (5-9) 51 at UNB (4-10) 69 The Tigers missed a chance to solidify their hold on the sixth and final playoff spot with another road loss at UNB. All 3 teams chasing the final playoff spot (Dal, MEM and UNB) have six games remaining including a pair of 4 point games each against teams higher in the standings. Yesterday, the Varsity Reds raced out to a 17 point halftime lead and coasted to the win as Colin Swift went 4-5 from downtown as part of his game-high 14 points while Oliver Glencross added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Dal, which has now lost 3 straight, went only 1-6 from 3 and 8-17 from the foul line. The Tigers have a quick turnaround as they face St.Mary's at the Tower on Tuesday night in a cross-town rivalry game.
AUS STANDINGS
Acadia 11-4 32 pts (5 games remaining)
Cape Breton 10-3 30 pts (7 games remaining)
St. FX 8-4 24 pts (8 games remaining)
UPEI 6-8 24 pts (6 games remaining)
SMU 6-6 18 pts (8 games remaining)
Dalhousie 5-9 12 pts (6 games remaining)
Memorial 4-10 8 pts (6 games remaining)
UNB 4-10 8 pts (6 games remaining)
AUS GAMES THIS WEEK
Tues. Feb. 6 Saint Mary's (6-6, 18 pts.) at Dalhousie (5-9, 12 pts.) 8:00pm (2)
Wed. Feb. 7 StFX (8-4, 20 pts.) at Cape Breton (10-3, 30 pts.) 8:00pm (2)
Fri. Feb. 9 Memorial at Saint Mary's 8:00pm (2)
Sat. Feb. 10 UPEI at Acadia 5:00pm (2); Cape Breton at UNB 8:00pm (4); Memorial at Dalhousie 3:00pm (2)
Sun. Feb. 11 StFX at UPEI 3:00pm (2)
QSSF
Bishop's (4-8) 78 at McGill (5-7) 72 The "Q" got even tighter as 3 teams jostle for the final two playoff spots after Bishop's drove out to a 10 point lead and held off the Redmen at home on Sunday. A frantic McGill comeback got the game back to 71-69 late however the Gaiters were able to seal the deal on the foul line late. The game, possibly in honour of former Chicago Bear Hall-of-Famer middle linebacker Dick Butkus, featured 51 turnovers and 51 personal fouls between the 2 teams. 6'1" third-year guard Junior Nicholas (Montreal) led Bishop's with 18 while 6'5" fifth-year senior Cam McDonald contributed 15 including 3-5 3's. McGill's 6'4" 3rd year forward Sean Anthony led all scorers with 19 points and added 10 boards while 6'8" UMass transfer Olivier Lamoureaux added 14 but went only 2-8 from the free throw line. Redmen freshman sensation Matt Thornhill struggled, going 0-9 from the field and had only 2 points before fouling out. McGill has lost 4 in a row. McGill web site report
QSSF STANDINGS
Concordia 10-1; Laval 6-5; McGill 5-7; UQAM 4-8; Bishop's 4-8.
Across-the-country Weekend Review
Although some playoff positions and qualifiers have been settled across the country, there are still teams in contention for first-round byes and playoff spots that need wins in the final two weeks to solidify their positions. In the "Q", Concordia appears to have sewen up top spot while Laval is starting put space between themselves and third place. McGill's 4 game losing streak has dropped them into battle for the final playoff spot with UQAM and Bishop's. Carleton looks to be in the driver's seat again in the OUA East and with wins at Queen's and at RMC this Friday night would clinch first place. An Ottawa win over RMC would clinch second place for the Gee-Gees as they own the tie breaker with York. Friday's Toronto at York game will likely decide 3rd place as with a win the Blues will draw even with the Lions and hold the tie breaker with subsequent games against Laurentian and Ryerson (twice) remaining. Friday's Ryerson at Laurentian game will go a long way in deciding the 6th and final playoff spot; Ryerson won the first game between the 2 teams by 4. In the OUA West, Windsor's two game losing streak has brought them back to the pack and if Brock wins out, including a win at Windsor on the last day of the season, the Badgers will claim first place. Mac has a critical game at home against Windsor on Wednesday, where the Lancers will try to erase the memory of last season's playoff loss and push Mac out of the running for one of two first-round playoff byes. A Waterloo loss at Western on Wednesday all but eliminates the Warriors while Guelph looks to move back over .500 on the weekend, hosting Lakehead for a pair of games. In Canada West, Brandon has clinched the Great Plains pennant but the other 3 positions are far from set as second place Winnipeg needs at least one victory against the Bobcats this weekend to make the playoffs - Wesmen host Brandon on Thursday. Saskatchewan is knocking on Alberta's door for first place in the Central while UBC and Vic are now tied in the Pacific but the T-Birds host last place Thompson Rivers and 5th place Fraser Valley this weekend and with a sweep will finish first as they own the tiebreaker. Calgary has clinched 3rd in the Central and will likely face Saskatchewan in the first round of the Central playoffs.
The Vikes came up with a pair of wins on the road at Central division opponents as the Victoria Time-Colonist reports Victoria's weekend review
Cape Breton at Acadia report from Chris Kallan of the Halifax Daily News Axemen Claim First Place
An article on MUN's Brittany Dalton, fighting injuries Brittany Dalton article in The Telegram
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