(HALIFAX, NS) The Dalhousie Tigers beat the UNB REDS 82-67 on Sunday.
Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB) and Keevan Veinot (Port Williams, NS) traded three-pointers to open the first quarter. However, a second three from Spurrell off of an assist from Thomas LeGaillis (Cornwall, ON) quickly extended the REDS early lead.
At 4:57, Sam Maillet (Moncton, NB) came up with a block that led to a Shamar Burrows (Nassau, Bahamas) lay-up that gave the Tigers their first lead of the game, up 9-8.
Shortly before the quarter break, Sterling Simpson (Fredericton, NB) hit a three-pointer that narrowed the gap between the REDS and the surging Tigers. However, a last second foul by Corey Nzigamasabo (Saint Basile Le Grand, QC) sent Burrows to the line for two foul shots.
The Tigers led 17-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Out of the break, the Tigers stifled the REDS and prevented them from scoring while they went on a five-point run and stretched their lead to 22-15.
Another run from the Tigers saw Maillet finish a lay-up. The skillful transition play of the Tigers forced the REDS coach to call a strategic timeout when they fell behind 35-20 at 4:02 of the second quarter.
At the half, the Tigers led 43-32, shooting 51.5%. The REDS shot just 32.4% from the field.
LeGallais opened up the scoring for the REDS with an assist to Spurrell and then a three-pointer of his own on the next possession.
At 8:06 of the third quarter, Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, AB) brought the REDS within seven of the Tigers after hitting three foul shots on two different possessions and getting an offensive board he used to score a lay-up.
Reese Zorogole (Halifax, NS) scored seven straight points for the REDS on an impressive run that pulled UNB to down 54-50 with 2:07 left in the third quarter. The REDS improved on their first half performance, but still trailed by nine at the end of the third, 62-53.
Doumbouya picked up a crucial and-one to open the fourth quarter and quickly brought the score to 62-56.
Dal scored at 4:36 of the fourth quarter to push their lead back to eight points.
From there, the Tigers clung to their healthy lead and won the game 82-67.
The top performer for the REDS was Doumbouya, with 16 points and 17 rebounds.
Keevan Veinot led the Tigers with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Burrows was the Subway Player of the Game. His stat line was 26 points, four rebounds, and one assist.
The REDS and Tigers are both back in action on Friday. Dal hosts Cape Breton while the REDS welcome Saint Mary's. Both games are scheduled to tip-off at 8:00pm.
RECAP BY: Daniel Simpkin/for Dal Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillan/for Dal Athletics