REDS Run Into Hot Panthers Hand

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) Point guard Elijah Miller (Rexdale, ON) had a hand in 57 points, as the UPEI Panthers took down the UNB Reds 91-79 on Friday night.

Miller finished with a game-high 24 points and a career-best 15 assists, while adding seven steals in a dominant effort.

Glen Cox (Scotsburn, NS) benefitted from Miller's ability to create off the dribble, as he added 23 points off the bench on a perfect 10-for-10 from the field. Veteran guard Dakelle Brooks (East Preston, NS) closed out the victory in the fourth quarter where he scored six of his 17 points.

The REDS, now 5-and-5, also had three players reach double figures, including a team-high 20 points from Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB). Fellow starter Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, AB) finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Corey Nzigamasabo (Saint Basile Le Grand, QC) had 12 off the bench. 

Each Panther starter scored a pair in an early 10-10 game. After Miller drilled a nifty pull up jumper, the sophomore guard found Isaiah Ankra (North York, ON) in the corner for an open three to pull his team ahead 19-10.

UNB closed the quarter on a 12-8 run, thanks to Nzigamasabo's contribution off the bench. He scored six of those 12 points to make it 27-22 after one.

The back-and-forth affair continued throughout the second, as UNB whittled into the deficit. After Miller scored six straight for the Panthers, Haany Ahmed converted an and-one before Doumbouya connected on a triple and a lay-in to pull in front 36-35.

The Panthers, who improve to 6-and-4 with the win, commitment to ball movement paid off in the final minutes of the half, as they capped a 14-5 run with three-pointers from Jayden McMullen (Bedford, NS) and Cox.

McMullen continued where he left off and converted a three-point play the old-fashioned way to give the home team an 11-point advantage. However, Doumbouya continued to give the Panther fits, scoring four points in a 6-2 run to trim the deficit to 55-49.

The REDS closed within four, but three straight layups the other way extended UPEI's lead to 63-53. Miller scored five of his team's next seven points, as home team went into the fourth up 72-59.

UNB put a small dent into the lead early in the fourth, but like they did the entire game, the Panthers responded. Brooks secured the win by scoring seven points in a 13-3 run to push their advantage to 85-68 before taking the game 91-79.

The Panthers return to the court next Friday, when they host Dalhousie.

The REDS travel to Antigonish to face the St FX X-Men.

RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/for UPEI Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Janessa Hogan/for UPEI Athletics