Hamilton, ON – The StFX X-Men dropped a 81-70 decision to the McMaster Marauders in exhibition action Saturday night.

After being down 44-31 at halftime, the X-Men mounted a fourth quarter comeback but time was not on their side and the Marauders hung on for the win.

The home team got out to a 26-13 lead in the first quarter then the teams each scored 18 points apiece in the second.

The Marauders bested the X-Men 24-15 in the third quarter but the X-Men owned the fourth, outscoring MAC 24-13 including a pair of three-pointers from Brandon Velocci.

The X-Men had a well-balanced attack in the pre-season exhibition match with several players seeing time on the court. Atik Gilao scored 10 off the bench, Dawson Bungay and Justin Andrew each scored nine points, and Velocci and Daniel Passley each finished with eight. Passley also led the team in rebounding with 11 on the night.

Starters Tristen Ross, Azaro Roker and Thomas Legallais each netted seven points for the X-Men.

David McCulloch was the top scorer for McMaster with 19 points.

The X-Men will finish up their Ontario exhibition trip with a 1:00 pm game Sunday at Ryerson.

-30-