UNB Bounces Back At UPEI

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UNB Varsity Reds took over in the third quarter and didn't look back, earning a 107-92 win over the UPEI Panthers Saturday night.

UPEI trimmed the deficit to as few as three points, early in the third, but a powerful Varsity Reds squad, led by Donnavan Hastings(Brampton, ON) and his 31 points, was too much to overcome.

Hastings was one of five Varsity Reds to finish in double figures. Starters Hess Mayele(Montreal, QC) and Kaleefah Henry(Brampton, ON) contributed with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Spencer Dawson(Hamilton, ON) and Chris Spurrell(Rothesay, NB) both came off the bench with 12 and 11.

It was a grind-it-out affair in the first quarter, as the defensive energy was high. Hastings led the charge, scoring seven of his 31 points for the Varsity Reds, who held the potent Panthers' offence to only 18 points.

Mark Matheson(Summerside, PE) hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one in the opening moments of the second, but Spurell followed that with a lay-up for UNB, forcing the Panthers to regroup with a timeout.

Following that timeout, the Varsity Reds went on a 6-0 spurt to make it 30-21, but the Panthers responded quickly with a 5-2 run, trimming the deficit to 32-26.

The Varsity Reds carried a 48-42 lead at halftime.

Early in the third quarter the Varsity Reds used a 10-2 run to push the lead to 11, 60-49.

Mayele helped UNB to a comfortable 77-64 advantage heading into the final frame.

The high powered Varsity Reds' offence delivered again, scoring 30 points in the fourth quarter on route to the 107-92 final.

Six Panthers scored in double figures in the loss, including all five starters.

The Varsity Reds play host to the St. FX X-Men on Friday and Saturday.

The Panthers hit the road next weekend to face the Memorial Sea-Hawks.

RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/for UPEI Athletics

PHOTOS BY: UPEI Athletics