The University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds were victorious over the Université du Laval Rouge et Or, by a score of 85-80.
This was the final game in the annual Accreon Eric Garland Tournament. The tournament was held at the Richard J. Currie Center from October 4th to the 6th.
Both teams came into the game with 1-1 records. Both teams beat St.FX but lost to Ottawa. The game reflected these similarities and started with both teams going basket for basket.
Laval pulled ahead 21-17 with the help of starting centre Boris Hadzinuratovic and forward Antoine Guillard, combining for 10 points and 4 rebounds in the quarter.
The second quarter was more back and forth with both teams scoring 18 points apiece. The deciding factor in the half was free throws, with Laval scoring 12 of 15. The score at the end of the second was 39-35 for Laval.
The V-Reds tightened up in the third quarter. With the help of star rookie
Javon Masters scoring a pair of jump shots, the Varsity Reds pulled within one point, trailing 56-55 as the quarter came to a close.
Masters continued his dominant play, racking up 14 points in the fourth quarter to add to his game high of 24. The Varsity Reds, inspired by Masters' stellar play, scored 30 points in the final quarter to finish the game on top, 85-80.
A flurry of shots at the end of the match from Masters, and guards Will McFee and
Daniel Quirion sealed the deal for the Varsity Reds. Coach Baker was more than impressed by the team's performance saying, "They were a good team down there, but we found a way to win... all the three guys Javon, Dan and Will made the big plays down the stretch to put it over."
Masters was the leading scorer in the tournament for the V-Reds and he appears to have adapted to the AUS style of play.
"Back in Ontario the game was really physical, so I think I'm adapting pretty well," commented Masters. "As a freshman you're gonna have your ups and downs. I just want to play my game and be as consistent as possible," he continued.
Masters was one of the five players selected to the Budweiser Tournament all-star team. He is joined by St FX's Jordan Tyrell, Ottawa's Michael L'Africain and Gaberiel Gonthier- Dubue, and finally Laval's Boris Hadzimuratovic.
The Varsity Reds now travel to PEI for the 2013 UPEI Mickey Place Tournament held October 18th to 20th.
