REDS Rally Past Sea-Hawks

(FREDERICTON, NB) Tyrell Leotaud (Ajax, ON) had 20 points and five rebounds as the UNB REDS erased a 13-point deficit for a comeback win, 82-79 over the visiting Memorial Sea-Hawks, Saturday evening.

Leotaud earned Subway Player of the Game for his performance.

"There have been a few close games when we have lost in the last quarter, and tonight we turned it around, did what we had to do and took care of business," said Leotaud.

Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB) and Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) each added 15 points in the win for UNB.

"A lot of guys came up in a lot of big moments," said REDS head coach Joe Salerno. "It was a team effort and you love winning those types of games."

Cole Long (St. John's, NL) had a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds in the loss for the Sea-Hawks.

Memorial got the jump on the REDS with an early 7-2 run to start the contest. 

UNB would respond to cut the lead to 14-12, which Memorial followed with another 7-2 stretch to make it 21-14.

The REDS answered again with six consecutive points to finish the first quarter trailing 21-20.

The score would remain on a pendulum throughout the second quarter as well.

Memorial would create another early five-point spread 26-21, only to have UNB close the distance to come within one at 34-33, to which the Sea-Hawks countered with a 7-4 run to go into halftime up 41-37.

The Sea-Hawks would start the third quarter strong yet again with a 9-0 run for their largest lead of the contest 50-37.

However, UNB would again find an answer, going on a 14-4 run to close the gap once more, this time to 54-52, and only find themselves down 65-61 heading into the fourth.

The REDS would build off that momentum to tie the game 72-72 and subsequently take their first lead off a huge three-pointer from Leotaud with just five minutes to play.

UNB would get some clutch rebounds, key stops and make some huge free throws to hold an 82-79 lead at the game's final possession. 

Spurrell would block Memorial's attempt at a game-tying three-point shot with mere seconds left to complete the REDS' comeback.

The REDS improve to 4-3 while the Sea-Hawks fall to 3-4.

With the win, UNB is part of a three-way tie for third in the Atlantic University Sport standings, with Saint Mary's and StFX.

The REDS and Sea-Hawks conclude their weekend series on Sunday, with another four-point game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00pm Atlantic.

RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics