Axemen rally past Calgary to advance to Final 8 fifth-place game
Grant scores 23 and Regault adds 21 as Acadia earns 88-77 win in consolation semifinal
CALGARY, Alta. — Acadia defeated the University of Calgary 88-77 on Saturday at Jack Simpson Gym in the consolation semifinal at the U SPORTS Men's Basketball Final 8.
The win moves Acadia into the fifth-place game, where the Axemen will face Laval on Sunday at 11 a.m. MST.
Acadia's defense produced 11 steals and the team controlled the boards with 49 rebounds.
Robbie Grant led the Axemen with 23 points and seven rebounds, shooting 10-for-22 from the field and hitting three three-pointers. Ryan Regault added 21 points with six three-pointers and eight rebounds. Briawne Wilson contributed 15 points, while Kyle Munro scored 10 points and added two steals and three assists.
Acadia opened the game with a three-pointer from Gabe Davignon at 9:30, assisted by Grant. Calgary responded quickly with a jumper from Dre Francis.
Regault connected on another three to keep Acadia ahead early, but Calgary stayed close through transition scoring and pressure defense. A fast-break basket from Eli Djordjevic helped Calgary gain momentum late in the half. Djordjevic capped the run with a jumper in the final seconds, giving Calgary a 46-35 lead at halftime.
Calgary extended its advantage early in the third quarter with strong fast-break play and inside scoring. Aidan Smith added a three-pointer midway through the frame to maintain the lead.
Acadia responded with a strong push. Regault opened the run with a three-pointer, assisted by Munro. Wilson added several key baskets, including a three-point play with 4:48 remaining in the quarter. Grant gave Acadia its first lead of the half with a layup in the final seconds, putting the Axemen ahead 62-61 heading into the fourth quarter.
Acadia maintained the momentum in the final period. Grant opened the quarter with a three-pointer and later added a tip-in to extend the lead. Davignon converted free throws to stretch the margin to double digits.
Calgary attempted to close the gap, including a three-pointer from Daniel Chijioke midway through the quarter. However, Acadia controlled the pace down the stretch. A late layup by Regault secured the 88-77 victory.
Djordjevic led Calgary with 14 points, five assists and three steals. Francis added 14 points and 14 rebounds. Chijioke scored 15 points, while Hayden Franson contributed nine rebounds.