Panthers split weekend series in win over Reds

FREDERICTON, NB—The UPEI Panthers scored 31 points in a frenetic first quarter on route to an 87-73 win over the UNB REDS, Saturday night at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center. 

UPEI's Kamari Scott (Mississauga, ON) led all scorers with 31 points on 12-for-21 shooting from the field. He was named Tim Horton's Player of the Game. 

Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) registered a double-double in leading the REDS. He scored 16 points and pulled down a dozen rebounds. 

The teams combined for a whopping 54 points in the opening quarter with the Panthers emerging with a 31-23 lead. 

The pace slowed somewhat in the second and UPEI led 54-39 at the half. 

Despite solid efforts from a number of players, the REDS could never completely close the gap on the Panthers. 

UNB scored 20 points in the final quarter before falling by the 87-73 final score. 

Along with Mitchell's double-double, Eden Otshudi (Hamilton, ON) scored 15 for UNB, while Vegas Evans (Brampton, ON) added 14 and Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) had 12. 

Kyree Thompson (North Preston, NS) and Sam Chisholm (Bridgetown, NS) each had a dozen points for UPEI while Daniel Gonzalez Longarela (Madrid, SPA) grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. 

With the win, the Panthers join the REDS, STFX, and Memorial in a four-way tie for third place in the Atlantic University Sport standings. All feature 3-and-3 records. 

The Panthers now prepare to host the Saint Mary's Huskies, Friday in a tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m.

The REDS go on the road. They visit the Capers on Saturday afternoon. That game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

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