(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS emerged victorious Sunday afternoon against the Cape Breton Capers, 89-83, in a crucial battle in the Atlantic University Standings at UNB's CURRIE CENTER.
Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with a team-high 24 points, and four steals. Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) contributed 20 points and six rebounds, while Matthias Muscroft (Sussex, NB) provided a spark off the bench for the REDS, scoring 14 points. Muscroft was named Tim Horton's Player of the Game.
"We definitely needed this one," said Muscroft. "I think we moved the ball really well today, looked for the open shots, and played with a lot of energy as well."
Shakael Pryce (Pickering, ON) finished with a game-high 28 points, while Stefan Anisko (Caledonia, ON) added 19 points off the bench in the loss for the Capers.
Barnes got off to a hot start, shooting four of five for 13 points in the opening quarter for UNB. However, the Capers were able to hang around thanks to some strong defense, forcing nine points off turnovers as the REDS held a narrow 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The REDS capitalized on their hot shooting from beyond the arc, with Barnes and Burry hitting back-to-back threes to start the second quarter. Strong efforts on the offensive glass from Jeven Eddy (Ajax, ON), along with eight points off the bench from Muscroft, helped the REDS establish a nine-point lead, 35-26.
"I have to thank my teammates," said Muscroft. "They found me open, and I was able to hit the shots we needed today."
Sparked by a three-pointer from Aaron Cunningham (Orangeville, ON), the Capers managed to orchestrate a 9-1 run to even the score at 40-40. However, Barnes came up with a crucial step-back jumper late as the REDS held a 45-42 lead to close out the first half.
UNB opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers from Muscroft and Barnes, extending their lead to 51-44. A layup from Pryce and a three-pointer from Mitchell Mersereau (Sydney, NS) helped the Capers close the gap to three points, but Muscroft hit another three to re-establish the seven-point advantage, 56-49. Jahnian Simmonds (North Preston, NS) led a 5-0 Capers run to narrow the gap to two. However, three-pointers from Justin Chase (Scarborough, ON) and Eden Otshudi (Hamilton, ON) helped UNB maintain a 66-59 lead to end the third quarter.
Anisko's three-pointer started a 5-0 Capers run to open the fourth, bringing the score to 68-64. But Vegas Evans (Brampton, ON) took over, scoring eight points in the final frame, establishing an 11-point lead for the REDS. However, the Capers wouldn't stop fighting as they began to crawl back with a three-pointer from Pryce and an Aniko layup, chipping away at UNB's lead, narrowing it to two points late in the game. Yet, two made free throws from Otshudi and a crucial block by Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) on a three-point attempt allowed the REDS to close out the game with a final score of 89-83.
Looking ahead, the REDS (6-9) hit the road next weekend, traveling to Halifax, NS, to face the Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 pm.
"We just need to keep playing with energy and keep moving the ball," said Muscroft. "We'll need everyone to stay locked in and ready down the stretch."
Meanwhile, the Capers (7-9) will travel to Antigonish, NS, to take on the STFX X-Men on Saturday at 8:00 pm.
RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/ UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/ for UNB Athletics