Reds down Panthers 80-67
The UPEI Panthers are still looking for some consistency in their game.
By Thomas Becker
The UPEI Panthers are still looking for some consistency in their game.
One day, they look like the cream of the AUS's crop, and the next, they look like a team fighting to stay out of the conference basement. As a result, the Panthers (4-6) have hovered around the .500 mark and are still searching for their first two-game win streak of the season.
Friday night played out like the latter, as they fell to the UNB Reds 80-67.
Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) was brilliant off the bench for the Reds, scoring a game-high 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds and an assist. Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) led the starting unit with 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, while Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) had a monster double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds. The third-year centre also added six blocks.
Kamari Scott (Malton, ON) was UPEI's best player, as the fourth-year guard recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie point guard Sina Ayerman (Markham, ON) provided a spark off the bench and scored all 11 points in the second half.
While the offensive numbers ended up solid, it didn't start that way for UNB (5-4). The Reds were held to a single field goal on 15 attempts, allowing the Panthers to open up a 15-10 advantage after one quarter. Kamari Scott (Malton, ON) led the way offensively with seven points, while Owen Smith (Harvey York County, NB) added five off the bench.
Burry settled his team down and gave the Reds the lead early in the second period after scoring seven of the next nine points to pull them in front 19-17. After Matthias Muscroft (Sussex, NB) connected on a three-pointer, Barnes scored four straight points to make it 26-17.
The Panthers responded with a 6-0 run, but still trailed 32-25 at the break.
The two teams traded baskets in the opening minutes of the third quarter before a kickout from Barnes to Eden Otshudi (Hamilton, ON) led to an open three to push the lead to 10, 41-31. The back-and-forth affair continued throughout the frame where the Reds led 51-43.
UNB broke through offensively in the fourth quarter where they scored 29 points to secure the win. Burry led the offensive charge, scoring 10 of his 27 points on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, while Mitchell added seven, as the Reds took the game 80-67.
The Reds will look for the weekend sweep of the Panthers Saturday night when the two teams square off again.
Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek
