(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The Varsity Reds got off to a quick start in the Subway AUS men's basketball championship semifinal game, thanks to Javon Masters (Kitchener, Ont.) who scored the first five points of the game and led all scorers with 26 points in the game.
UNB had the slight edge in the first frame, maintaining the lead throughout most of the quarter. The Varsity Reds led 17-13 heading into the second frame.
The Tigers' Adam Karmali (Vancouver, B.C.), kicked off the second quarter with a three pointer, making it a one-point game. UNB then stormed back, outscoring Dalhousie 23-16 and went to the locker room with a 40-29 lead at the half.
Will McFee (Northbridge, Australia) led all scorers in the first half with 15 points. Teammate Masters added 14 while Dalhousie's Adam Karmali (Vancouver, B.C.) led the Tigers with 12 points.
With a three to begin the third, Halifax native Sven Stammberger gave the Tigers their first lead since the first quarter.
That kick-started the comeback for the Tigers who tied the game up late in the third with a three from Jarred Reid (Aurora, Ont.). The two teams then traded buckets until the end of the third when UNB led by one after three.
Stammberger, turned it on in the fourth quarter with 12 points including a long three pointer late in the frame to put the Tigers up by six with just over two minutes left to play.
Stammberger and the Tigers never looked back as they turned the initial 11-point deficit from the first half on the Varsity Reds, beating them 85-74.
Shooting 53 per cent along with strong defensive play was the difference maker in the second half for the Tigers.
Stammberber was named Subway player of the game for the Tigers, posting 20 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and block in the win.
Masters earned Subway player of the game nods for the Varsity Reds, contributing 26 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal.
The Dalhousie Tigers now move on to face the Saint Mary's Huskies in the Subway AUS Men's Basketball Championships final game Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the Scotiabank Centre.