Spurrell Sinks FTs For VReds Win

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds got a pair of free throw baskets from first year guard Chris Spurrell(Rothesay, NB), with less than four seconds to play, to edge the Holland College Hurricanes 73-72 in exhibition play Friday.

Spurrell drew the foul as he attempted a late three point shot, earning three free throws.

"I was just focusing on the first one," said Spurrell. "Once the first one went in, it made the other two easier."

The Hurricanes called time-out after Spurrell's free throws, but their last second shot was off its mark and time expired with the ball in UNB hands.

"It was closer than we'd have liked it to be, but they're a good team," said Spurrell. "They came out, fought hard, and made it a really good game."

Javon Masters(Kitchener, ON) led the Varsity Reds with 17 points, while Spurrell had 14 and Jesse Kendall(Guelph, ON) contributed 11.

Jayden Nordin(Halifax, NS) scored a game-high 21 points to lead Holland College, while Christian Williams(Malton, ON) snagged 8 rebounds.

"It was a great game for us to be in," said Hurricanes head coach Josh Whitty. "I don't know if the score was ever more than four or five points apart, so those are the sorts of games we really need to be in because we don't get them very often."

The Varsity Reds led 38-36 at the half.

Holland College leads the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association standings with a 7-0 record, and are the top-ranked team in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.

The Varsity Reds are tied for third in the Atlantic University Sport standings with a 4-3 record.

UNB resumes its regular season next Friday, against the Capers, at Cape Breton University.