(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) Norm Burry (Grafton, NB), coming off the bench, scored a game-high 27 points to lead the UNB REDS in an 80-67 win over the Panthers at UPEI on Friday night.

Burry was 9-for-12 shooting from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.

The visiting REDS struggled in the opening quarter, falling behind 15-10 in the opening ten minutes, but rebounded in the second to lead 32-25 at the half.

The teams played an almost even third quarter before exploding for a total of 53 points in an exciting final period.

Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) had 18 points for UNB while Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) had a game-high 17 rebounds to go along with a dozen points for the double-double. Mitchell also had six blocks.

Kamari Scott (Malton, ON) led the Panthers effort with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Sina Ayerman (Markham, ON) scored 11, all in the second half.

While the offensive numbers ended up solid, it didn't start that way for UNB.

The REDS were held to a single field goal on 15 attempts, allowing the Panthers to open the 15-10 advantage after one quarter.

Burry settled his team down and gave UNB the lead in the second after scoring seven of the next nine points to pull them in front 19-17.

After Matthias Muscroft (Sussex, NB) connected on a three-pointer, Barnes scored four straight points to make it 26-17. 

The Panthers responded with a 6-0 run, but still trailed 32-25 at the break.

The teams traded baskets in the opening minutes of the third quarter before a kickout from Barnes to Eden Otshudi (Hamilton, ON) led to an open three to push UNB's lead to 41-31.

The back-and-forth affair continued throughout the frame where the REDS led 51-43.

UNB broke through offensively in the fourth quarter, scoring 29 points to secure the win.

Burry led the charge, scoring 10 of his 27 points on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, while Mitchell added seven, and the REDS took the game 80-67.

With the win, the REDS improve to 5-4, good for a share of fourth place in the Atlantic University Sport standings with the Dalhousie Tigers. UNB and Dal sit just two points out of a three-way tie for the conference lead.

The Panthers are now 4-6, two points back of the REDS and Tigers.

The teams wrap up their weekend series on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 6:00pm.

RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/UPEI Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Janessa Vanden Broek/for UPEI Athletics