(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UNB Varsity Reds improved to 4-0 on the young season with an 88-80 win over the UPEI Panthers, in Charlottetown, on Saturday.

The eight point loss was a marked difference from Friday, when the Panthers lost to UNB by 44 points.

"I'm really, really proud of how we competed today," said Panthers head coach Darrell Glenn. "I didn't think we competed the way we needed to yesterday, but today we really came out and worked hard and I'm really proud of that."

UPEI's defence and effort was on full display, as they didn't allow anything easy for the Varsity Reds, who shot just 25 percent from the field in the first quarter.

"We think we have some athletes who can get up and go in transition," said Glenn. "We haven't really been effective with that, but it is a strength of our team and we have to learn how to make better decisions."

The two teams went to the half tied 33-33.

UNB started the second half on a 7-2 run, but the Panthers fought back to tie it at 43.

A furious run in the final minute of the third gave UNB a 64-56 lead.

Subway Player of the Game Javon Masters(Kitchener, ON) was the catalyst in the quarter, scoring 12 of his game-high 25 points.

The Varsity Reds made a push early in the fourth to go up by as much as 11.

The Panthers trimmed that lead, but in the final minute, Masters delivered a big three-point play, all but sealing the game 88-80.

The Panthers head to Cape Breton for a pair of games next weekend, while the Varsity Reds visit the Saint Mary's Huskies Friday and Saturday.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Thomas Becker/for UPEI Athletics