Reds Rally Past Panthers

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) After a sluggish first quarter, the UNB Reds locked down defensively and held the UPEI Panthers to just 43 points in the remaining three quarters, on route to a 79-65 win.

UNB's Tyrell Leotaud (Ajax, ON) had a team-high 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the double-double. Subway Player of the Game, Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, AB) contributed with 12 points and 19 rebounds, while Chris Spurrell (Quispamsis, NB) poured in 17 points.

UPEI went on a 9-0 run to take an early 9-2 lead.

The Panthers opened a 17-point advantage before the Reds closed the quarter on a 9-0 run of their own, trimming the deficit to 22-14.

UNB's defence buckled down in the second and held the Panthers to just 13 points on 35.7 percent shooting. They also forced six turnovers, leading to nine points.

Spurrell had 10 at the half for the Reds, who trailed by just one, 35-34.

The visitors continued where they left off and opened the second half with a 7-0 run to storm ahead 43-37. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third, as the Reds carried a 54-49 advantage into the fourth.

Leotaud took over in the final frame and almost single-handedly outscored the Panthers with his 12 points.

UPEI had no answer for a Reds' defence that held them to just 16-of-46 (34.7 percent) following the first quarter, as they took the game 79-65.

The Panthers next action is next Sunday, when they visit Dalhousie.

The Reds are off next weekend. They return to action on February 15^th, at Dal.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Thomas Becker/for UPEI Athletics