Photo Credit: Sarah Badibanga
FREDERICTON: The UNB Varsity Reds defeated the visiting SMU Huskies by a score of 89-86.
Distance shooting and swift passing were the deciding factors for the Varsity Reds in tonight's win.
Javon Masters led the scoring with a total of 30 points, followed by
Daniel Quirion with 20.
First quarter the action heated up with UNB's Masters proving his recent CIS player of the week status, scoring six points off-the-bat to put his team in the lead, 7-2. SMU's Theon Reefer responded with a monstrous slam dunk, followed by a jump-shot of his own to move two closer, 10-8. Two quick three-pointers from UNB's Will McFee expanded the V-Reds lead, 20-11 while Dylan Baker closed out the opening quarter with a jump shot keeping UNB in the lead, 24-13.
In the second quarter UNB maintained their lead, drawing fouls, staying near perfect at the foul line and staying comfortable, 29-18. Quirion drained two long distance three-point-shots to put the Varsity Reds up 37-24. Masters started firing from distance and quickly added a three and another two points on a jump shot to reach a tally, 44-29. Terry Ezenibe slammed two-points down for the Huskies to pull back, 44-34. With a final drive to the net Masters capped off the half with a basket, V-Reds leading 50-36.
The final half started with Reefer scoring back-to-back-to-back baskets for the Huskies catching up, 52-42. Masters answered back for the V-Reds with back-to-back three-point plays of his own, extending the lead 60-46. Three-point shooting continued to be a strong suit for UNB with big Jordan Irvine adding another triple from beyond the arc. Score after three quarters 68-58 for UNB.
The fourth quarter started off with both teams exchanging free throws, slowing the pace and closing the score, 73-62. Saint Mary's Boyd Vassell, hustled down court and drained two from long distance to inch closer, 79-73. Quirion added a much needed three to keep the momentum in UNB's favour and staying ahead, 83-77. With thirty seconds remaining on the scoreboard Vassell drained a lay-up, one basket behind, 85-83. With a final trip to the foul line, Quirion sealed the deal for the V-Reds winning the game, 89-83.
Coach Brent Baker thought that the V-Reds ability to maintain the lead was what gave them the edge, saying. "They (SMU) are a very athletic team, a very strong shooting team, that 10 point cushion was really the difference, it gave us that bit of leeway."
This game marked the last before the holiday season. Action starts up again on Thursday January 2nd, with an exhibition game against the ACAA Crandell University Chargers. Action starts at 9:00pm at the Richard J. Currie Center.
Source: Tom Wilson, UNB Sports Information
