CIS Hoops.ca

The X-Men built leads as large as 15 in the second half before a late Saint Mary's run cut it to 4 but X held on for the six point win in the final tuneup for both teams prior to the start next weekend of the AUS regular season. The difference maker this afternoon for X was 6'6" Terrence Taylor, who has returned from a debilating sinus infection and appears to be all the way back to his old self, grabbing 5 offensive rebounds and finishing strong around the hole to the tune of 21 points and 9 rebounds. Taylor's great inside play was especially important for the X-Men given that 6'8" Alberto Rodriquez did not play as he fights a nagging back injury. 5'10" Christian "T-Bear" Upshaw had a near triple-double with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists in an entertaining matchup with Saint Mary's flashy 6'1" Joey Handles Haywood who had 22 points for the hosts. X led 42-32 at halftime. 6'2" Mark McLaughlin also added 22 points for the Huskies, who finish the pre-season at 3-6 against CIS competition. X goes into their first weekend of AUS play with a 6-2 record with all six victories coming against teams with .500 or worse slates vs. CIS schools. To open up next weekend's AUS regular season, Saint Mary's travels to Cape Breton for a pair of games in Sydney against the Capers while X does the most travel-difficult tour, going to the Island to face UPEI and then moving further east to face UNB V-Reds.