UNB clinches first round bye with victory over Tigers
The UNB Varsity Reds came into the Dalplex and stole a four-point game from the Tigers.
(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB Varsity Reds came into the Dalplex and stole a four-point game from the Tigers tonight. With the win, the Varsity Reds move into first place in the AUS with a record of 14-4 while the Dalhousie Tigers fall to 9-9 and sit in fourth place.
Kashrell Lawrence continued to lead the Tigers with a solid 22 points and seven rebounds, going a very impressive 8-9 from the field. Team captain, Ritchie Kanza Mata, also led by example scoring 12 points and played very tough defense.
The CIS leading scorer, Javon Masters, led the way for UNB scoring 18 points while having to fend off foul trouble all game. 2013 AUS leading scorer Will McFee chipped in with a very important 17 off the bench.
UNB came out hot shooting 60% from the 3-point line in the first quarter, giving them a 22-18 lead to end the quarter. Dalhousie roared back scoring 25 points in the second quarter to take a seven point lead into halftime with a score of 43-36.
The third quarter went back and forth with both teams exchanging leads with every big play being answered with a response from the opposing team. The end of the quarter had Dalhousie out in front by two points.
In the fourth quarter UNB, led by the return of leading scorer Javon Masters, came out firing on all cylinders, shooting 57% from the three-point line and nailing 100% of their free throws down the stretch to steal the game away from the Tigers.
The Subway Players of the Game were Dylan Baker for the Varsity Reds and Adam Karmali for the Tigers.
The Tigers will be back on the court next Saturday when they host the Cape Breton Capers in back-to-back games, while the Varsity Reds will take on the Memorial Sea-Hawks in Fredericton on Saturday. Both games tip off at 8:00pm.
With files from Dalhousie Sports Information.