Reds stumble offensively in the second straight loss

The defeat marks the second consecutive loss in a row and officially snaps their hot streak leaving them with a 3-2 record after a 3-0 start.

“Maybe give them some credit on defence, but we had a lot of looks that we normally bang,” explained head coach Brent Baker. “I was disappointed today. Daniel Quirion (Moncton, NB) wasn’t out there to miss shots. It was just a bad night for him and that happens sometimes. That’s why it’s a called a team and you have to make up for it.”

The game opened as a back and forth affair in front of the large crowd. As both squads opted for a more conservative start in an effort to feel it each other out, the scoring remained low and close throughout the first frame. After they exchanged buckets, the Reds carried a slight 16-14 edge into the second quarter.

Then Tigers decided to turn up the defensive pressure in the second.

Dal closed in on any UNB attack, while clicking offensively. The Tigers went on an 11-0 run, taking a 29-20 lead in the process. Daniel Quirion and McFee, William (Northbridge, Australia) were denied access anywhere in the paint and sloppy offensive play by the Reds led to costly turnovers as they were limited to 10 points in the quarter.

Capitalizing off turnovers, Dal scored off several fast breaks to take a 31-26 lead into the half.

The third frame was essentially a replica of the second quarter, except the new addition of poor shooting by the Reds. Their field goal percentage was the key to their demise as they only shot a dismal 29.9 per cent.  

“We just weren’t in our groove,” said team captain Alex DesRoches (Dieppe, NB). “Sometimes guys aren’t going to get their shots. One night you’re going to feel really good and everything’s going to in and another night they just won’t fall.”

McFee, being the Reds’ only offensive weapon during the match, was sidelined for the ten minutes due to foul trouble. UNB dearly missed McFee’s offensive output as they were outscored 19-9 in the third and trailed 50-35 going into the final quarter.

Upon McFee’s return in the fourth, the comeback was queued. The outstanding play of the young Australian was enough to reel the Reds back into the match and get the crowd on their feet. However, the first-year’s foul troubles continued as he received his fifth one and was ejected from the match.

Coach Baker noted that staying out foul trouble is imperative to playing competitive basketball in the AUS and that it’s something players like McFee have to recognize.

“It’s important for us for sure, but at the same time he has to start adjusting to the officials too. It’s a double-edged sword there. He’s go to do that for sure.”

Feeling the winds falling from their sails, UNB couldn’t keep up the momentum and Dal coasted to the easy 70-54 victory.

McFee led the way with 22 points, while DesRoches was the only Red to post double digits with 10. UNB sorely missed the usual output from Quirion and Andrew Wright (Fredericton, NB) as the pair combined for only four points and did not sink a three in eight attempts.

Even though UNB had a lackluster performance offensively, Baker was more concerned with the poor defensive play displayed tonight.

“It comes back to rebounding. They just put too many second shots on us back in the basket. There’s also the guys you have to contest – the Peter Leighton’s of the world. You have to make him run off the three-point line and he had too many threes on us tonight.”

Leighton went three for five from beyond the arc and chipped in six more points.

Turnovers were also raised several red flags on the UNB bench. DesRoches noted that that was one of the determining factors in the loss.

“We came out strong, but we didn’t box out at all. We didn’t take care of the ball. We’d come down the floor and throw it away and when you’re playing a good team like this, you can’t afford to throw balls away.”

The Reds will take on a 1-3 Acadia squad in the LB Gym tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

When asked what they can improve on, the coach only echoed is captain’s words.

“They’re really long and they’re really athletic. So, the one thing we have to do is take care of the ball. They can make up for a lot of mistakes with their athleticism. So, you’ve got to be fundamentally sound with the ball tomorrow. That’s going to be huge for us.”