Dal Tops UNB

(HALIFAX, NS) The Dalhousie Tigers scored 28 points in the first quarter and added 26 in the fourth, on route to an 82-61 win over the visiting UNB Reds, on Friday.

Dal's win came in a crucial four-point game.

Keevan Veinot (Port Williams, NS) led all scorers with 19 for the Tigers, while Alex Carson (Lower Sackville, NS) added 13 off the bench.

With the Reds starters held to single digits, Daniel Pitcher (Sydney, Australia) and Matur Maluach (Sydney, Australia) both came off the bench, scoring 14 and 11 points respectively.

The Tigers were all over the glass to start the first quarter, picking up second-chance points on three offensive rebounds in the opening four minutes of the game to force the Reds to take an early timeout. 

Coming out of that break, Pitcher hit back-to-back threes, sparking a big run for the Reds and a timeout from the other side. 

That run was quickly stopped by Carson, in similar fashion, with back to back threes, and an incredible one-foot fadeaway jumper from the baseline. 

Jordan Brathwaite (Milton, ON) nailed a perfect half-court shot as the buzzer ended the first quarter, giving the Tigers a 28-14 lead. 

Maluach took over the UNB attack in the second quarter, making great moves in the two-man game.

As the defensive intensity picked up, the transition game became sloppy, resulting in turnovers from both sides. The Tigers were able to take advantage of those turnovers, picking up 15 points off UNB turnovers through two quarters compared to six for the Reds.

The Tigers held a 42-26 lead at the half.

Finding their shooting stroke coming out of the break, Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, AB) knocked down two huge threes, one on a step-back with a hand in his face, to spark a run from the Reds and a Tigers timeout. 

The shots continued to fall from the outside for the Reds, with Derian Valdes (Calgary, AB) knocking down a shot from deep, while Maluach finished off a tough play down low for an and-one, to make it a 22-12 run in the third quarter. 

Heading into the fourth, the Reds were gaining ground, but the Tigers held a 56-48 lead. 

The Reds were held to just four points in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter, while Dal was able to extend the lead to 20.

The Tigers strong fourth quarter gave them the 82-61 win. 

Brathwaite was named the Subway Player of the Game, with 12 points and four assists.

The Reds are now 6-and-5, and tied for second in the Atlantic University Sport standings. They remain in Halifax, and will face the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday.

 The Tigers, now 11-and-1, will look to keep their momentum rolling into their matchup with Saint Mary's on Wednesday.

RECAP BY: Kirk Jessome/for Dal Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Evan De Silva/for Dal Athletics