Gaiters Bounce Varsity Reds

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Bishop's University Gaiters scored a 69-60 win over the host UNB Varsity Reds, in exhibition play, Saturday night.

Abdul Kamane(Montreal, QC) scored 22 points to lead the Gaiters, who improved to 1-1 at UNB's Eric Garland Tournament.

Jamaal Potopsingh(Brampton, ON) scored a game high 23 for the Varsity Reds, who saw their weekend record fall to 0-2.

"We need to play better on defence," said Potopsingh. "We need to rebound and box out, but it's still the beginning of the season. There's lots of room for improvement."

The Varsity Reds, once again, sat a number of key veterans, including the reigning CIS scoring champ, Javon Masters(Kitchener, ON).

The Gaiters out-rebounded the VReds 41-28, something head coach Rod Gilpin was pleased with.

"I thought our guys played really hard," said Gilpin. "This is a difficult gym to win in, and I'm just pleased with how we battled. I thought defensively we got a little bit fatigued in the second half, but we managed to grind it out in the end."

As for why his team tired down the stretch, Gilpin says it's partly because of the team's defensive style.

"Maybe we're not quite in game shape yet, and we shortened the bench. We went with the guys who were playing well."

The Varsity Reds erased a 12-point first half deficit, drawing even at 54 when Spencer Dawson(Hamilton, ON) hit a three point shot in the fourth quarter.

Potopsingh evened the score again, at 59, before the Gaiters pulled away for good.

Despite the outcome, Potopsingh says there's a lot of potential in the new-look Varsity Reds.

"I'm lovin' it," he said, of the team's athletic style of play. "You couldn't ask for a better group of guys. The coaching staff has done an excellent job recruiting this group."

Bishop's closes out its Garland Tournament schedule on Sunday, against the Saint Mary's Huskies.

The Varsity Reds take on the University of Maine-Fort Kent Bengals.