The Concordia Stingers travelled out East and kept pace with the athletic St. Mary’s Huskies to earn a hard-fought 90-87 victory in their opening game of the 2011 Rod Shoveller Memorial.
As expected, both teams played a very fast pace game with plenty of action and dunks to please the Dalpex crowd.
The Huskies supreme athletic play allowed them to stay within striking distance of the Stingers as they trailed by four points for the last three minutes of the game.
Concordia Stingers Kyle Desmarais knocked down some timely free-throws to help seal the victory.
Evens Laroche had 24 points and Decee Krah 22 for Concordia who were up 47-34 at the half.
Harry Ezenibe had 22 points and 17 rebounds for Saint Mary’s. Miguel Pink had 18 points, Torey Fassett had 17, Riley Halpin and Brian Rouse each had 12 for the Huskies.
The Stingers will now face tournament host’s and defending AUS champions Dalhousie Tigers in the second semi-final. The Tigers defeated the winless RMC Paladins 114-50.