Masters Leads UNB Over SMU

(FREDERICTON, NB) The rivalry between the UNB Varsity Reds and Saint Mary's Huskies looked to be in mid-season form Friday, as the two met in pre-season play in UNB's Eric Garland Tournament.

The host Varsity Reds prevailed, in what was a see-saw affair, 80-75.

"Any time you face somebody in your conference, especially somebody as good as Saint Mary's, it's always going to be intense," said Varsity Reds guard Javon Masters(Kitchener, ON).

UNB fought back from a seven-point first quarter deficit, taking a 27-26 lead midway through the second, only to watch the Huskies take a 38-30 lead into half-time.

The Varsity Reds erased that gap too, building a 50-49 lead late in the third quarter.

Masters led all scorers with 21 points and 9 assists.

Chris Spurrell(Quispamsis, NB) added 14 points and freshman Ibrahima Doumbouya(Calgary, AB) came off the Varsity Reds bench to snag a game-high 10 rebounds.

Nico Brauner(Wiesbaden, GER) led the Huskies with 18 points.

Kemar Alleyne(Toronto, ON) added 14.

"We showed a lot of hustle," said Masters. "We were down by as much as 10 at one point and for us to gut-check ourselves and really get after them defensively and win some hustle-plays and knock down some shots and carry the momentum into the fourth quarter and finish off a very good team like Saint Mary's, it gives us some confidence."

The exhibition tournament continues Saturday for both teams.

The Huskies face another Atlantic University Sport rival, the Cape Breton University Capers, at 4:00pm.

The Varsity Reds take on the University of Quebec at Montreal Citadins in a game scheduled for 8:00pm.

Both games take place at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics