Reds beat Panthers to sweep weekend series

FREDERICTON, NB—The U SPORTS No. 7 ranked UNB REDS scored a 65-54 win over the UPEI Panthers on Saturday, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center, completing a two-game weekend sweep.

Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) led the REDS with 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Erin Ingalls (St. George, NB) added 13 points and eight rebounds. Ingalls was named the Tim Horton's Player of the Game. 

Less than three minutes in, the REDS edged out to an 8-7 lead with Ingalls scoring five of the REDS first eight points. 

In a back-and-forth quarter, UNB built a 21-16 lead through the first ten minutes. 

The REDS then began the second quarter on a 14-0 run, pushing their lead to 35-16 and prompting Panthers' head coach Matt Gamblin to call time-out. 

UPEI responded, trimming the deficit to ten points. 

At the half, UNB was up by a dozen, 41-29. 

The Panthers roared to life in the third quarter, outscoring the hosts 19-10 and cutting UNB's lead to just three after 30 minutes, at 51-48. 

Unfazed, the REDS opened the final quarter with a 7-2 run to re-establish an eight-point edge and prompting another Panthers time-out. 

UNB held UPEI without a basket over the final six minutes on route to their sixth straight win. 

Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) contributed eight points and a game-high nine rebounds to the REDS' effort. 

UPEI's Lauren Rainford led all scorers with 18 points. 

Elise Plaschka (Brockville, ON) grabbed seven rebounds for the Panthers. 

UNB, now 6-and-0, takes over sole possession of first place in the Atlantic University Sport standings. 

The Panthers fall to 3-and-3 on the season and are tied for fourth place. 

They return home and prepare to host the Saint Mary's Huskies, Friday at 6 p.m.

The REDS head to Cape Breton for a Saturday matinee in Sydney. UNB and the Capers are scheduled to tip-off at 1 p.m.

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