(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The third-place Axemen took on the undefeated UNB Varsity Reds in Friday night basketball action in Wolfville. Acadia led from the start and never looked back, handing UNB their first loss of the season 92-84.
Owen Klassen, who returned after missing five quarters of action in two games against Dalhousie last week due to an injury, made an immediate impact upon his return by scoring nine of his 14 first-half points in the opening quarter.
With a 27-17 first frame lead, the Axemen continued to dominate in the second quarter. AJ Simmonds was three-for-three from deep in the first half for nine points and Lauchlan Gale also shot three-for-three from the field for six first-half points. Acadia took a 15-point lead, 50-35, into the locker room at the end of the first half. Javon Masters led UNB at the end of the first half with 13 points, three rebounds, an assist and two steals.
The Varsity Reds, who posted a win apiece against Dalhousie and UPEI last weekend, netted just four of 15 attempts from the three-point line against the Axemen, and 37 per cent from the floor.
UNB made a third-quarter push, led by Javon Masters who had 11 points in the quarter. They closed the gap nine at 69-60 entering the final quarter of action.
The V-Reds' Ryan Smit had two quick buckets in the fourth to close the gap along with back-to-back threes by Daniel Quieron. The Varsity Reds were within two before Klassen threw the ball down for a basket, was fouled and sank his free throw. This sparked the Axemen on both ends of the floor and Acadia stretched their lead to seven. The rest of the game was played at the free throw line and the Axemen came away with the victory.
While the Varsity Reds worked hard for the second-half push, the Axemen were one-for-seven from the arc and fell from 55 per cent from the floor to 46 per cent. Out-scored in the third frame 25-19, Acadia tied UNB at 24 in the final quarter.
With 31 points in the game, knocking down 13 of 15 free throw attempts and adding five rebounds, Javon Masters was the Subway Player of the Game for UNB,
Owen Klassen, who recorded a double-double with 34 points and 14 rebounds on 71 per cent shooting from the field, was Acadia's Subway Player of the Game.
The Axemen and the Varsity Reds will faceoff again tomorrow night at Acadia. The Axemen improve to 4-1, while the Varsity Reds drop to 4-1 with their first loss of the regular season.
Source: Ashley Hasler for Acadia Sports Information