(FREDERICTON, NB) Despite trailing after each of the first three quarters, the UNB Reds used a strong fourth quarter to grind out an 84-75 win over the Cape Breton Capers on Saturday night.
Sterling Simpson (Fredericton, NB) was named Subway Player of the Game for the Reds, after putting up 13 points, five assists and four steals.
The Reds jump ahead of the Capers in the Atlantic University Sport standings, improving to 5-and-4 while CBU drops to 4-and-5.
Their proximity in the standings was evident in the first quarter, with the Capers holding a 23-22 edge after a close opening 10 minutes.
Momentum would continue to swing in the second. The Reds appeared to jump ahead with 7-0 run that put them up 32-27, only to have the Capers respond with an 11-0 run of their own to take the edge again, 40-38 at the half.
The game would tighten further in the third quarter, with both teams unable to pull away and the Capers again having the edge 59-56 heading into the fourth.
UNB would pull ahead when it mattered the most in the final quarter, getting key shots from Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, AB), Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB) and Marcus Masters (Kitchener, ON) down the stretch to pull out the 84-75 win.
Doumbouya led the Reds with 21 points while Masters followed with 17, and Spurrell added 15.
Osman Omar (Mississauga, ON) had a strong game in a losing effort for the Capers, putting up a game-high 26 points, and three rebounds.
The teams meet again Sunday afternoon at UNB's Currie Centre, in the finale of their two-game weekend series. Game time is 4:00 pm.
RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics