(FREDERICTON, NB) The Saint Mary's Huskies delivered a strong second-half performance to defeat the UNB REDS, 93-80 on Saturday at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

All five Huskies starters scored in double-digits, with Marc-Denault Gabriel (Montreal, QC) leading the way with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Jayrell Diggs (East Preston, NS) added 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Devawn White (Montreal, QC) contributed 16 points off the bench for Saint Mary's.

Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) led UNB with 24 points, and Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) added 15 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in the loss.

Turnovers proved costly for the REDS, surrendering 20 points off turnovers to Saint Mary's 9.

The Huskies also dominated in the paint, outscoring UNB 50-18 on the night.

The game's momentum swung in the Huskies' favor from the beginning, opening the first quarter on a 10-3 run, led by Denault, who scored six of his 15 points in the opening frame.

Despite a three-pointer from Jeven Eddy (Ajax, ON) narrowing the gap, a three from Shea Linton-Brown (Toronto, ON), followed by a 4-0 run by the Huskies, resulted in a 24-16 lead after the first quarter.

The Huskies extended their lead in the second quarter, holding an 18-point advantage after back-to-back threes from Jonas Maers (Rosenheim, Germany) and Tjark Lademacher (Lüneburg, Germany), establishing a 36-18 lead at 6:48 of the second.

UNB closed the half on a 9-0 run, cutting the deficit to just a 6-point Huskies lead, thanks to Barnes, who had 8 points in the quarter.

However, a timely three from Gabriel and a steal-and-score from Linton-Brown allowed the Huskies to head into halftime leading 50-39.

The Huskies maintained their momentum into the second half, jumping out to an 18-point lead with a 15-5 run, closing out the third quarter 76-55.

Anthony Sears (Antigonish, NS) provided a spark off the bench for the REDS at the start of the fourth quarter, contributing a layup and a 3-pointer. Barnes also hit a three, closing the gap to 15.

The REDS mounted an 8-0 run with consecutive threes from Eden Otshuidi (Hamilton, ON) and Barnes, bringing the score to 88-78 with less than 3 minutes to go. 

However, the Huskies managed a late 5-0 run to close out the game, 93-80.

The REDS fall to 

Looking ahead, the REDS (5-7) hit the road next weekend, traveling to St. Johns, NL, to face the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 pm.

Meanwhile, the Huskies (5-6) will host the Cape Breton Capers on Friday, with the game set for 8:00 pm.

RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/ for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/ for UNB Athletics