REDS Fall In Season Opener

(SYDNEY, NS) The Cape Breton University Capers started the Atlantic University Sport men's basketball regular season with an 87-59 victory over the UNB REDS on Friday night, at CBU's Sullivan Fieldhouse. 

Early in the first quarter, veteran forward Tyson Cato (St. Catherines, ON) set the tone for the home team with a two-handed dunk on a fast break..

On the strength of five consecutive points from Mark Tobin (Mount Pearl, NL), including a basket from downtown, the REDS took a 14-12 advantage.

At the end of the first quarter, the CAPERS led 20-15.

Spurred by an 8-2 run early in the second, CBU took their first double-digit lead, 28-17, after a highlight-reel dunk from newcomer Liai Tong (St. John's, NL).

Five consecutive points from Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) saw UNB trim the CBU edge to 28-22.

The Capers made a 19-9 run which gave them their biggest lead of the first half at 47-31.

Anthony Sears (Antigonish, NS) drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the corner to give the REDS some life heading to the locker room. CBU led 47-34 at the break.

Early in the third quarter, after a three-pointer from Reese Zorogole (Halifax, NS), the visitors cut the deficit to 10 points, 51-41, which would be as close as the REDS would get.

Cape Breton finished the third on a 12-4 run to take a 63-45 advantage heading to the fourth quarter. 

In the final stanza the CAPERS lead mushroomed to 75-47.

From there, with both sides going deep into their benches, CBU cruised to victory.

Stefan Anisko (Caledonia, ON) led a balanced Capers' attack with 24 points and eight rebounds. Shakael Pryce (Pickering, ON) and Tafarian Black (Scarborough, ON) finished with 12 points apiece.

For the REDS, Barnes finished with a team-high 14 points, while Zorogole scored eight points off the bench.

The CAPERS and REDS will return to action Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00pm.

RECAP BY: Corey LeBlanc/for CBU Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Vaughan Merchant/for CBU Athletics