(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS held off a late surge by the Cape Breton Capers to win a critical four-point Atlantic University Sport men's basketball game, 83-80, Sunday afternoon at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.
Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) led the home team, recording a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds to earn Subway Player of the Game honours.
"It was a huge win for us, especially looking at the standings right now," said Burry. "Coming out on top in this four-point win is huge for us."
Burry hit a three-point basket and a free thrown down the stretch to provide the margin of victory for UNB.
After starting the game with a shot clock violation on their opening possession, the REDS built an early 5-0 lead on the strength of a Brandon Laryea (Crawley, UK) three-point basket.
Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) drained a three of his own with under a minute to play as UNB took a 21-19 lead after one quarter.
In the second, Brett Speedy (Fredericton, NB) knocked down a three-ball as the home team went up 26-21.
At the half, UNB led the Capers 45-37.
The teams played an even third quarter, but in the dying moments Barnes managed to shake defender Osman Omar (Mississauga, ON) and find Speedy with a pass. Speedy's basket gave UNB a 69-64 lead after 30 minutes.
Early in the fourth, Cape Breton trimmed the UNB lead to just two, at 73-71, but a Malik Grant (Brampton, ON) bucket from behind the arc pushed the REDS lead to 76-71 on the next possession.
The Capers would draw even 76-76, but Burry's late three and a Laryea put-back basket propelled the REDS to the win.
"We just followed the game plan that Coach had for us," said Burry. "We knew they were going to come out in 2-3 zone, and we practiced all week getting ready for that. I thought that really paid off."
Justus Peuser (Geisenheim, GER.) led all scorers with 20 for Cape Breton, while Tyson Cato (Ajax, ON) posted a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
"We're really disappointed," said Capers head coach Matt Skinn. "That was a game we needed for the standings, so it's going to be a long drive home."
"They did everything that we prepared for. They shoot a ton of threes, Norm's a great player, they did everything that they're supposed to do and that's why they won," he added.
The game was played before a crowd of almost 600 spectators.
"You could feel the energy in the building," said Burry. "It's great to have fans like we do, to see the support they give us is really awesome."
With the win, the REDS improve to 5-and-7 and jump to fourth in the AUS standings. They now sit just two points back of Dalhousie and UPEI who are tied for second place.
The 4-and-8 Capers are now sixth.
Up next for the Capers, a Friday home game against the Acadia Axemen. That is scheduled for an 8:00pm tip.
The REDS will be in Halifax on Friday to face the Dal in the first of a two-game weekend series. Game time is scheduled for 8:00pm.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics