(FREDERICTON, N.B) – The UPEI Panthers men's basketball team came out with the 104-85 victory against the UNB Varsity Reds and takes over first place in the AUS standings in front of a huge crowd of 1283 at the Richard J CURRIE CENTER.
"They're a great team," said second-year UPEI guard Tyler Scott (Halifax, N.S). "I love playing against them, it's great competition. The whole team is solid. We're just happy to come in here and get a win."
The game was much closer than the score might indicate. It was played at a torrid pace and produced many highlight plays including a beautiful behind-the-back pass from UNB's Matt Daley (Belledune, N.B) leading into a layup from Javon Masters (Kitchener, ON).
The two teams went back and forth for most of the first half until UNB was given a technical foul that led to a six-point possession made up of three free throws from fifth-year guard Ellis Ffrench (Wolfville, N.S), who would be named Subway Player of the Game, and a three-pointer from Tyler Scott. The score going into half-time was 41-49 for UPEI.
The second half began with a huge dunk from Miki Sediarevic (Vesenice, Slovenia) that was followed up the next play by a Jordon Irvine (Riceville, N.B) alley-oop dunk assisted by Javon Masters. The third quarter went back and forth and saw UNB down by only six points at the end.
The turning point of the game was a 15-4 run in the fourth, highlighted by a pair of back-to-back threes by Tyler Scott, the second of which he made while being fouled. He went on to make the free throw to make the game 89-75 for UPEI.
Scott (23) and Ffrench (34) combined for 57 points and 19 rebounds and were instrumental in the win, taking over the game in the fourth quarter.
"I play off him (Ffrench)." Explained Scott. "He's in his fifth year, I'm just learning day by day, he's a great player and I am more than happy to have him as my backcourt team mate."
Leading Scorer for UNB was William McFee (Narre Warren South, Australia) with 20 points and three ssists. Javon Masters and Matt Daley also had good games, with lines of 18-4-2 and 15-3-8, respectively.
UNB will next see action versus the StFX X-Men in Antigonish, N.S on Friday February 13.
The Panthers will travel home to defend their lead next Saturday versus the X-Men.
Rob Trites for UNB Sports Information
Photo by Bradley Parker.