UNB Rallies Past UQAM

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds came from behind… again.

The Varsity Reds rallied from a six-point third quarter deficit to beat the University of Quebec at Montreal Citadins 79-77 at UNB's own Eric Garland Tournament.

On Friday, UNB came from behind to beat the Saint Mary's Huskies.

Javon Masters(Kitchener, ON) scored a game-high 31 points on Saturday, including 16 from the free throw line, to lead the home side.

Freshman Ibrahima Doumbouya(Calgary, AB) came off the Varsity Reds bench to score 17 points and grab 8 rebounds. Spencer Dawson(Hamilton, ON) added 15 points off the bench.

"We dug ourselves a hole to start the game," said Varsity Reds guard Chris Spurrell(Quispamsis, NB), who scored 13 points in the win. "We had to dig ourselves out of that. At the end of the game, we just dug in on defence and got stops and it ended up working out for us."

Ibrahima Sylla led the Citadins, scoring 27 points, on 10 for 16 shooting from the field.

UQAM led 27-20 after one quarter and 41-34 at the half.

The two teams traded the lead through the last three minutes, with UNB surging ahead in the final minute on the strength of Masters making three of four free throws.

"Clearly, we proved that we're able to come back, but it's not something we want to do, especially late in the season," said Spurrell.

"It's like we need to get slapped in the face in order to come out," said Varsity Reds assistant coach Matt Daley, running the team as head coach Brent Baker tends to a family matter. "We have a lot of young guys who aren't used to this tempo, so they need to be woken up a bit, but once we get going it's hard for us to be stopped."

UQAM wrap up their Garland Tournament on Sunday when they meet the Saint Mary's Huskies at 12:00pm(Atl.). Both teams are 1-1.

The Varsity Reds, now 2-0, take on the 0-2 Cape Breton University Capers. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00pm.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics