REDS Win Carleton Tournament
(OTTAWA, ON) The UNB REDS men’s basketball team is still celebrating a big exhibition season triumph.
The REDS went 3-and-0 and captured the tournament title at the recent House-Laughton Hoops Classic, at Carleton University, in Ottawa. (Oct. 18-20)
That ended the host team’s 23-year hold on the championship trophy.
“That was a great weekend for our group,” said REDS’ head coach Joe Salerno. “Picking up three wins against quality opponents in less than 48 hours took a high level of focus, and some real toughness from our guys.”
In their tournament opener, on Friday, UNB knocked down Concordia 72-58.
Eden Otshudi led four REDS who scored in double-digits with 17 points, while Marcus Barnes dropped 15.
The REDS led 20-9 after one quarter and held a 27-point lead with less than five minutes to play in the fourth.
On Saturday, UNB took on the host Ravens.
Carleton has won seven of the past ten national championships.
The REDS held the Ravens to just 25 first half points and got a monster game from Barnes, who scored 24 points.
With the score tied 70-70 and just 1.7 seconds on the clock, the third-year guard hit a step-back three-point shot in front of the Carleton bench as the REDS upset the home team 73-70.
Connor Landell chipped in with ten points and seven rebounds.
On Sunday, in their final tournament game, the REDS opened with three consecutive dunks to establish an early 6-0 lead on York and second-year guard Matthias Muscroft had a breakout game scoring 22 points to lead the REDS to a 79-69 victory.
Muscroft was five-for-six from the three-point line in the win.
Barnes, Otshudi, and Landell had 10 points each for the REDS.
“I think the win over Carleton will go a long way for us,” said Coach Salerno. “It showed us that we’re capable of beating anyone in the country when we’re all dialed in.”
Barnes was named the most valuable player of the tournament, and he and Otshudi were named tournament all-stars.
“Being the first team from UNB, and really one of only a handful of teams outside of Carleton to win that tournament was a nice accomplishment for us, and one I know our group is proud of,” said Salerno.
The REDS are now 6-and-0 in exhibition play.
UNB opens their 2024-2025 Atlantic University Sport regular season schedule on Friday, November 1st, at Cape Breton. Game time is scheduled for 8:00pm.
UNB’s home opener is scheduled for Saturday, November 9th, against Dalhousie. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00pm.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTO BY: CFortin Studios/for Carleton Athletics