REDS Bounce Panthers In OT

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UNB REDS won an overtime thriller against the UPEI Panthers, 90-84, in Atlantic University Sport men's basketball action, Friday night in Charlottetown.

The first quarter saw the REDS go on an early run, jumping out to an eight-point lead 16-8. By the end of the quarter however, the Panthers had cut the deficit to four, leaving the score 22-18 after the first.

The Panthers wasted no time in the second quarter, immediately going up five points off a Hugo Bermejo (Madrid, Spain) three-pointer, making the score 32-27. Great play from Eden Otshudi (Hamilton, ON) would bring this game back to even and the teams went to the half-time break tied 45-45.

UPEI would keep the momentum in the third and would push their lead to nine by the end of the quarter, heading to the fourth up 60-51.

A fourth quarter flurry, charged by Conner Landell (St. Catharines, ON), who scored 10 of his 20 points in the final frame, brought the REDS to within striking distance at 64-62. A back-and-forth rest of the fourth would end with Otshudi hitting a three, followed by two free throws. However, up three points with 14-seconds left, Kyree Thompson (North Preston, NS) of the Panthers would hit a game-tying three to send it to overtime.

A hard-fought overtime would see the Panthers leaping out to another early lead, this time by five. Once again, the REDS would battle back with Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) hitting two massive shots down the stretch to seal the win for the REDS 90-84.

Landell would finish the game with 20 points and nine rebounds. Otshudi would lead all scorers with 24. Brandon Laryea (Crawley, UK) would chip in with 12 points as well as six boards.

Thompson would knock in 20 points along with three steals for the Panthers. Bermejo had 14 points, six assists and seven rebounds.

The win, UNB's fourth straight, propels the REDS into third place (9-8) while this loss drops UPEI into a tie for fourth (8-8).

The REDS will play at STFX next Friday. Game time is scheduled for 8:00pm. The Panthers are at Dalhousie tonight (Feb. 8).

RECAP BY: Judson Doncaster/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Janessa Vanden Broek/for UPEI Athletics