REDS Down Tommies In Preseason Play

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS built an early lead and maintained it on route to an 87-67 exhibition win over cross-campus rivals St. Thomas Tommies, of the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association, on Sunday.

Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) led the REDS, scoring 22 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) added 16 points and eight rebounds.

Vegas Evans (Brampton, ON) came off the REDS bench and pulled down eight rebounds.

"They're a good team, really well coached, and have some legit players," said REDS forward Brett Speedy (Fredericton, NB), of the Tommies.

Speedy scored 10 points in the win.

"I thought, the way we started, we probably should've put on a better showing. We kind of let them dictate the second half, which is disappointing, but it's a learning experience for us, and playing an older, well-coached team like that is good for us, we can definitely take some lessons from that."

The REDS led 31-14 through one quarter and 48-23 at the half.

They were able to regroup during the break and led 66-44 through three quarters.

UNB held the 20-point edge in the fourth quarter, winning 87-67.

"Obviously, we still have so much to improve on, but I'm pleased we're starting to figure out who we are," said REDS head coach Joe Salerno. "STU plays hard, they've got some good players, but I think we came out and had a good start and never let the lead go."

Owen Amos (Miramichi, NB) led the Tommies effort, scoring 16 points and grabbing four rebounds.

The REDS continue their exhibition season at the Queens Tournament, October 21-23, in Kingston, Ontario.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics