(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UNB REDS put up a strong fight against the UPEI Panthers but ultimately fell short in an 84-81 decision on Saturday night, resulting in a split of their weekend series.

Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) scored a team-high 28 points and added two rebounds and two assists in the loss for UNB.

Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) had another efficient night with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) recorded his second straight double-double with 14 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks.

UPEI's Kamari Scott scored 28 points to lead the Panthers over the REDS.

Daren Clarke had his best game of the season and carried the team in the fourth quarter, where he scored 14 of his 22 points for the Panthers, while Cameron Brown played with a lot of energy and was rewarded with 15 points, nine rebounds, and a team-high three assists.

The first quarter was a battle between each team's star players. Both Scott and Burry gave their teams a lift offensively, scoring nine and eight points, respectively, as UPEI carried a slim 21-20 advantage after one.

With both teams giving their all defensively, points were hard to come by in the second quarter.

Each team traded blows, with neither carrying more than a three-point lead.

Between the two teams, there were six lead changes in the frame before Scott closed the quarter with an and-one and a three-pointer at the buzzer to give UPEI a 42-36 lead at the break.

Scott led all scorers with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

The Panthers opened up a 48-36 advantage behind a quick 6-0 run to start the third quarter.

After trading baskets, the REDS cut the deficit to 52-47 following a Barnes triple and a Mitchell layup.

After Barnes cut the deficit to six with a three-pointer, UPEI used Brown's physicality to their advantage, as the sophomore forward attacked the paint for a putback and layup, as the Panthers went into the fourth ahead 62-54.

With the game still hung in the balance, Clarke carried the Panthers across the finish line with an offensive explosion. The sophomore point guard scored 12 straight points from the 5:02 mark to the final 1:51 and gave his team an 80-72 lead, all but sealing the win.

The REDS managed to get within one, but time wasn't on their side, as they fell 84-81.

Next up for the Panthers are the Cape Breton Capers, who they'll face next Saturday.

The REDS return home to take on the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday, Jan. 12 at 8:00 pm at UNB's Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.

RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/UPEI Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Janessa Vanden Broek/for UPEI Athletics