(WOLFVILLE, NS) Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON0 scored a game-high 22 points to lead the UNB REDS in a crucial 85-73 win over the Axemen, at Acadia, on Tuesday night.
Vegan Evans (Brampton, ON) added 16 points in the REDS win.
"This was a must-win game against a very strong Acadia team," said REDS' head coach Joe Salerno. "Our guys bought into our game plan on the defensive side of the ball and executed it extremely well."
This game, and the regular season finale for both teams on Saturday, have a significant bearing on the upcoming Atlantic University Sport championship tournament.
UNB led by as much as 20 in the third quarter, with Acadia's last lead being in the first half of the game.
All but one UNB player scored in the game, but it was Barnes leading the way, shooting an efficient 10-for-18 from the floor. He also had four assists and six boards.
"I thought Marcus had one of his best games in a REDS uniform," said Coach Salerno. "He stepped up when we needed him to and was great on both sides of the ball."
Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) and Reese Zorogole (Halifax, NS) were the only other REDS in double-digit scoring. Each came off the UNB bench to score 10. Jeven Eddy (Ajax, ON) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
For the Axemen, Gabe Davignon (Whites Lake, NS) and Glen Cox (Scotsburn, NS) had 19 and 17 points respectively, while Thomas MacDonald (Rothesay, NB) finished with the game's only double-double, pulling in 10 rebounds with 10 points.
The REDS and Axemen meet again Saturday afternoon, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center, in the final regular season game for both teams. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00pm.
UNB has now won four of their last five games and is 9-and-10, part of a three-way tie for fourth in the AUS standings with Cape Breton and Memorial. Both CBU and the Sea-Hawks have a game in hand on the REDS.
Acadia is now 8-and-11, two points back of the fourth-place log jam.
"We're pleased with the win, but also know the job isn't finished yet," said Coach Salerno. "We need to match that same intensity and focus on Saturday when we see these guys again."
RECAP: UNB Athletics with files from Acadia Athletics
PHOTOS: Peter Oleskevich/for Acadia Athletics