Panthers fall to Reds 83-69

FREDERICTON, NB—The UNB REDS beat the UPEI Panthers 83-69, running their win streak to three games, Friday night at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) led the REDS with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and was named the Tim Horton's Player of the Game. 

"It was great teamwork," said Mitchell. "Coach had great plays drawn up for us tonight and we just had to execute, and we were able to do that." 

The first quarter featured fast and aggressive play by both teams, with the Panthers building an early 23-20 lead after ten minutes. 

In the second, the pace slowed somewhat, and the REDS made their move. 

With just under four minutes to play in the second quarter, following a REDS defensive stop, Vegas Evans (Brampton, ON) fired a three-pointer to give UNB a 34-31 lead. 

The REDS outscored the visitors 20-11 in the second quarter and led 40-34 at half-time. 

UNB pulled away in the third quarter, extending their lead to 19 points. 

As the third quarter expired, UNB's Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) launched a shot from just inside the half court stripe. It dropped to give the REDS a 69-50 lead after 30 minutes. 

The Panthers offered a bit of push-back during the fourth quarter, but not enough and UNB won 83-69. 

UPEI's Jace Colley (East Preston, NS) led all scorers with 20 points while Kamari Scott (Mississauga, ON) dropped 12. 

"I thought we came out well, but at some point, we lost some of our ability to keep them in front of us and that really hurt us," said Panthers' head coach Darrell Glenn. "We were undisciplined defensively and had some breakdowns that we don't want to have, and it was kind of a pattern they took advantage of." 

Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) scored 18 points for UNB while Barnes had 12. 

Jeven Eddy (Ajax, ON) came off the UNB bench to score seven to help the REDS improve to 3-and-2. 

"It feels great right now," said Mitchell. "I feel like this is my family right here. It's fun to be part of this." 

The REDS are now part of a four-way tie for second place in the Atlantic University Sport standings while the Panthers, now 2-and-3, are tied for sixth. 

"I'm hoping with some film and a night of reflection that we can come back and be much better tomorrow," said Coach Glenn. 

The REDS and Panthers conclude their two-game weekend series on Saturday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell, UNB Athletics / PHOTOS BY: James West, for UNB Athletics