Huskies Complete Sweep
(HALIFAX, NS) Saint Mary's point guard Shae Linton-Brown (Toronto, ON) stuffed the stat sheet and helped lead the Huskies to an 89-81 win over the UNB REDS on Saturday night, in Halifax.
"I'm just trying to get better each and every day, learning from my coaches, teammates and everyone around me," said Linton-Brown who posted 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The first quarter began as a duel between Huskies guard Jayrell Diggs (East Preston, NS), and REDS forward Brandon Laryea (Crawley, UK), as Diggs scored the Huskies first 11 points of the game, while Laryea scored eight of the REDS first 13 points, with his lay-up tying the score at 13-13 with just over 16 minutes to play.
That's when REDS first year guard Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) started lighting up the Huskies hoop for the second straight night. After dropping 21 points in Friday's loss, Barnes scored 18 first half points, and a three-pointer put the REDS up 24-15 with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter.
With the Huskies in a hole, senior point guard began controlling the game, as Linton-Brown first found first year Ethan Vey on a long outlet pass for a huge one-handed jam, before hitting a three of his own to cut the REDS lead to four. REDS guard Reese Zorogole (Halifax, NS) responded with a three of his own, and the visitors took a 27-20 lead into the second frame.
The Huskies continued their offensive momentum into the second quarter, as guard Dontae Mitchell (Vaughan, ON) scored a quick five points before Linton-Brown found Jackson Enyinna (Port Harcourt, Nigeria) on a pick-and-roll, plus the foul, to tie the game at 32-32.
The Huskies led 50-47 at the half.
The third quarter saw the Huskies extend their lead to 55-47, after a pair of lay-ins by Diggs and a three by Sam Gillett (Halifax, NS). The REDS bench helped cut into the lead, with guard Rees Hasson (Fredericton, NB), forwards Jeven Eddy (Ajax, ON), Mark Tobin (Mount Pearl, NL) and Vegas Evans (Brampton, ON) combining for 10 of the REDS 17 third quarter points.
A Tobin lay-up to begin the fourth quarter cut the Huskies lead to 68-66, but Vey responded with his second three of the evening.
Reigning AUS Rookie of the Year Norm Burry did his best to keep the REDS in it, scoring nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, but the Huskies never relinquished their lead and went on to win it with a final score of 89-81.
Linton-Brown was named Subway Player of the Game with 14 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Diggs poured in a game high 23 points, while Mitchell continued his torrid scoring with 20 points and four rebounds. The fifth year guard ranks third in the conference in scoring, averaging 21.5 points per game.
The REDS were led by Barnes, who had his second straight 20 point game and added six rebounds and three assists. All five REDS starters scored in double figures, with Brett Speedy (Fredericton, NB) scoring 12, Laryea and Burry adding 11, and Malik Grant (Brampton, ON) scoring 10.
The Huskies win improved their record to 4-2. They'll hit the road Friday to take on the Cape Breton Capers in a scheduled 8:00pm tip.
The REDS loss dropped their record to 1-5. They'll be back in action on Saturday, hosting the UPEI Panthers. Game time is scheduled for 8:00pm.
Recap by Allan April / SMU Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / SMU Huskies Athletics