UNB Hands SMU First Loss

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds ended the SMU Huskies' five game winning streak in an exciting match at the Richard J. Currie Center, in Fredericton.  

UNB opened the game with an aggressive offence. They were comfortably executing plays from the opening minute.

UNB's Grace Wade(Fredericton, NB) put in some great offensive and defensive work in the first half, leading the VReds with 10 points. That effort helped the home side push their lead to 13-points in the second. They took a 30-25 lead to the half.

In the second half, SMU came to life and both teams fought for the lead. Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse lead the Huskies with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Late in the fourth quarter, SMU had a chance to tie the game but couldn't close the gap. UNB to took the win, 54-51.

"We decided this morning that we were going to win that game," said UNB's Rachel Cleary. "Everyone went out and did their part and I think it shows on the scoresheet that we have a team where everyone scores, not just one player."

"We held them to 51 points and I don't think that's something that many teams do," added Cleary.

Disappointed with his team's first loss, Huskies' head coach Scott Munro was quick to pinpoint the reason why it happened. "They worked harder when they needed to today and full credit to them for the win."

While SMU falls to 5-and-1 on the season, the Reds improve to 4-and-3. "It's kind of a nice way to cap off the first half," said Varsity Reds head coach Jeff Speedy. "There's not too many teams, when they give up the lead with four minutes left in the game to the number two team in the country, that are going to come back and win the basketball game and that just proved how resilient we are."

This was the last game before both the Saint Mary's Huskies and UNB Varsity Reds break for the exam period and Christmas holidays.

BY – SAMANTHA LAGACY, FOR UNB ATHLETICS