(FREDERICTON, N.B.) - The UNB Varsity Reds defeated the StFX X-Men by a score of 91-78 in the final match of the regular season, held Saturday at the Richard J. Currie Center.
Leading scorer for the V-Reds was Javon Masters who put up 23 points, and seven assists. Teammate William McFee added 20 points and four rebounds in the win.
Leading scorer for the X-Men was Jordana Chalke who posted 25 points and added three rebounds. William Donkoh had 14 points, three assists and three rebounds.
The game started at a brisk pace early with both teams matching shot-for-shot, creating an 8-8 score in the first five minutes. StFX pulled ahead briefly with a deep three from Jordan Clarke, to take the lead 18-16.
The lead was quickly eliminated as McFee drove hard to the net, drawing a foul and capitalizing on the three-point play to lead the game 23-18.
McFee's shooting arm stayed hot as he kicked the second quarter off scoring back-to-back three-point shots, extending the lead 33-22.
UNB continued to make quick work of the visiting X-Men as Masters drove to the net, getting the hoop and the harm to make the score 38-22.
The X-Men fought back with Kevin Bercy netting his own three-point play to bring them closer, 42-36.
Jordan Irvine sank an early three in the third quarter to spark things for the V-Reds 61-51. Clarke answered back, scoring a long deuce to keep the X-Men in it, 69-55. Masters continued to perform for the V-Reds, extending the UNB lead to 73-61.
In the final quarter, McFee continued his masterful shooting, sinking yet another three pointer to take a 14-point lead, 78-62.
Masters kept his foot on the gas, draining a jump-shot and then a triple to lead the X-Men 86-70. In the end, UNB took the game 91-78
UNB head coach Brent Baker was impressed with his team's offence, specifically the play of McFee, Quirion and Masters. "We had our hands full with those guys trying to get into the paint, but overall I think Will, Javon and Quirion really counted themselves well and did a really good job," he said. "It was really good to see Will bang a few threes and make a few shots, and just really a heads up play. He was really the difference maker in this game I think."
The Varsity Reds will now be part of the 2014 Subway AUS men's basketball championship. The playoffs commence on Friday, Feb. 28 with a replay of tonight's match against StFX at 6 p.m. in the Halifax Metro Centre.
Source: Tom Wilson for UNB Sports Information