UNB get first win in weekend split with UPEI

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan  

A home court opener in late November? That was the case for the Varsity Reds men’s basketball team as they hosted the UPEI Panthers over the weekend. The Reds only managed a split and remain out of the playoffs as they head into the break.

When their 2009-2010 AUS campaign began, the team’s season opened up at Fredericton High School and the next “home” game was played in the Leo Hayes gym. Technical issues at the Lady Beaverbrook forced the early season relocations.

Without stepping onto their true home court, the team took off on back to back weekend trips to Nova Scotia.

After four games on the road, the V-Red’s had their actual home opener against the UPEI Panthers on Saturday night in front of 350 spectators.

In the first half UNB out shot UPEI 36-28 and kept the game close, heading into the locker room down 44-41. The team’s aggressive play and good offensive execution was summed up by their Head Coach.

“They had a sense of urgency,” praised bench boss Brent Baker.

Coming out at halftime and continuing the sense of urgency, the team fought their way to a 71-70 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Reds dominated the final frame by outscoring the Panthers 30-16 to seal the win.

In 34 minutes of floor time, Mike Anderson shot 50 per cent and scored 32 while recording a game-high four steals. Alex DesRoches added 17 points, and Dustin Anthony scored 10 during his 21 minutes on the court. The final score of 101-86 is the first time the Reds have scored triple figures in an AUS game under Coach Baker.

Sunday’s afternoon match was a different story. Down again by three at halftime and keeping the game competitive, the Reds’ play went in the opposite direction in the third and fourth quarters. Poor shooting and defence by UNB sent them into a point deficit they could not overcome. The 96-74 final set the Reds back to 1-6 on the season with the worst winning percentage in the AUS.

“You’ve got to have selective amnesia,” said the coach about his team’s slump. As a team, UNB shot 25.6 per cent in half number two, and only scored 32 points.

“There was no sense of urgency today.” said Baker “It’s hard to win back to back games in this league.”

In the loss, Alex DesRoches pulled down 14 rebounds, seven of them offensive. Dan Quirion and Colin Adams both saw major minutes, and the rookies put up 15 points combined.

Baker elaborated on the second half meltdown saying “that’s our immaturity as a team.”

Team veterans Anderson and DesRoches scored 44 of UNB’s 76 points, each playing 35 minutes.

The AUS is now on Christmas break, the next home game being Jan. 15 when the Reds host the Saint Mary’s Huskies down at the pit.