(WOLFVILLE, NS) Extending their winning streak to three games, the Acadia Axemen basketball scored an 80-68 win over the UNB Varsity Reds on Friday.

With a 45-41 lead at the half, the Axemen pushed out to a commanding 66-50 lead after three quarters on the play of senior shooting guard Nick DePalma(Bedford, NS), who posted 12 third-quarter points, including three timely three-pointers.

Subway Player of the Game Ben Miller(Winnipeg, MB) added 11 points in the third frame flurry.

"The shooters were making their shots tonight, especially in the second half. Nick De Palma got going and the 'bigs' were really great to me, making it easy out there for me," said Miller, following the game.

With Rhys Larry(Brockville, ON) and Erik Nissen(Quispamsis, NB) protecting the rim, Miller was asked how their play affected his on-ball defense when trying to be aggressive on defense. "It gives you a lot of freedom. You can make a mistake and Erik has your back or Rhys has your back. It makes it a lot easier on us guards," noted Miller.

While the Varsity Reds won the battle for the paint with 20 points versus Acadia's 10, the Axemen bettered UNB with a 41.8 field goal percentage. The Varsity Reds struggled with 26% from the distant arc compared to Acadia's 37%.

Miller scored a game-high 22 points, while teammates DePalma and Nissen listed 15 and 12 points respectively.

UNB's Javon Masters(Kitchener, ON) had a team-high 19 points and newcomer Ibrahima Doumbouya(Calgary, AB) posted an impressive game of 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

The Axemen host the UPEI Panthers on Saturday, while the Varsity Reds head to Halifax to take on the Dalhousie Tigers. Both games are scheduled to begin at 8:00pm.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Acadia Athletics