(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS improved to 3-and-0 with a convincing 86-60 win over the visiting Memorial Sea-Hawks, on Saturday.

The game was the opener of a two-game Atlantic University Sport weekend series between the teams.

"It feels good, that's for sure," said REDS' fourth year guard Marley Curwin (Halifax, NS), of the team's three-game winning streak. "It's how we would want to start our season."

Curwin scored eight points, grabbed four steals, and had seven assists for the REDS, earning Subway Player of the Game honours.

"Every opponent is tough in this league," said Curwin. "We came in prepared. We did the work. We just had a lot of confidence going into the game."

The REDS started quickly, fashioning an 11-4 lead less than three minutes in.

When UNB added another pair, Memorial head coach Mark English called an early timeout.

The REDS would score on their next three possessions while holding the Sea-Hawks off the board, going up 19-4.

While the visitors would attempt to claw their way back in, the REDS were relentless.

As the opening quarter expired, Katie McAffee (Lower Knoxford, NB) hit a long-range jumper to push UNB's lead to 31-13.

"We just didn't come to play in the first quarter, first half," said English. "Credit to UNB, they shot the lights out. They came to play and we didn't."

In the second quarter, a couple of Leah Travers (Calgary, AB) three-pointers paced UNB as they ran their lead to 47-24 midway through and 57-26 at halftime.

The two sides settled into the third quarter, each scoring 19 points during the frame, with UNB taking a 76-45 lead to the fourth.

By midway through the final quarter, the REDS had pushed their lead to 30 points, 82-52.

Memorial continued to fight but could not overcome the aggressive REDS who won 86-60.

"We're much better than we played tonight," said English. "And it's partly my game plan. I didn't do a good job coaching tonight."

Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) led the REDS with 14 points, while Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) scored 13 off the bench.

Alana Short (Barrie, ON) scored a game-high 20 points in Memorial's losing cause.

With the win, the REDS maintain their hold on a three-way tie atop the conference standings.

The Sea-Hawks, now 1-and-2, are tied for third.

UNB and Memorial wrap up their weekend series on Sunday. Game time is 12:00pm Atlantic Standard Time.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics