(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UNB Varsity Reds used their veteran-laden line-up to beat a young UPEI Panthers team 99-55 on Friday.
"There are no cakewalks in the AUS," said Varsity Reds head coach Brent Baker. "I told them after the game, don't get comfortable because tomorrow's another day."
UNB's bench productivity was outstanding, putting 63 points on the board.
Leading the way was guard Jesse Kendall(Guelph, ON), who scored 15.
"We benefitted from making a bunch of threes tonight and that's going to come and go like the weather," Baker said.
After a slow start, Kendall came off the bench and was instantly effective, drilling back-to-back triples as UNB jumped to a 12-2 lead.
The Varsity Reds continued their strong quarter, where they led 22-8, while limiting the Panthers to just 23.5 percent shooting.
"Jesse is an accomplished shooter in this league, just injuries have curtailed his production," said Baker. "It's nice to have that option where we can put him in off the bench."
Another highlight in the quarter was UNB's star guard and Subway Player of the Game, Javon Masters(Kitchener, ON), who reached a milestone with his 2000th regular season career point.
The powerful Varsity Reds pushed their lead to 20 in the early minutes of the second and UNB took a commanding 49-25 to the half.
Masters was stuck on 2000 points for a while.
He finally broke out in the third, with a 10-point quarter to push the lead to 74-46.
He finished with 14 points.
UNB dominated the final quarter on route to the 99-55 win.
The two teams will square off again on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00pm.
RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Thomas Becker/for UPEI Athletics