UNB holds onto 1st place with win over Axemen

WOLFVILLE N.S. - In men's basketball action Saturday night it was the Acadia Axemen and UNB Varsity Reds finishing off a back to back weekend at War Memorial Gymnasium. The V-Reds used a strong fourth quarter to claim their second win in two nights against the Axemen, 77-67.

Acadia held a one-point advantage 17-16 after one quarter of action led by Shaquille Smith (North Preston, N.S.) with six points in the opening frame. Smith was named the Subway Player of the Game for Acadia, finishing with 12 points and five rebounds. The Axemen extended their lead to eight in a low scoring second quarter holding UNB to only six points and ending the half on a 8-0 run.

Acadia and UNB continued to battle hard in the third with the Axemen ending the quarter on a trey by AJ Simmonds (Dartmouth, N.S.) to put the lead at seven heading into the final frame.

The V-Reds began the fourth on an 8-0 run to regain the lead at 51-50. UNB outscored Acadia 34 to 17 in the fourth and lead by 14 with two minutes remaining, capturing a 77-67 win over the Axemen.

Javon Masters (Kitchener, Ont.) was key to UNB's success in the fourth quarter comeback, notching 34 points on 10 for 16 from the field and contributing six rebounds. Nikola Mandic (Belgrade, SRB) added nine.

Sean Stoqua (Ottawa, Ont.) netted 11 for the Axemen and Rhys Larry (Maitland, Ont.), while rookie teammate Ben Miller (Winnipeg, Man.) chipped in ten apiece. Larry also added eight rebounds in the loss.

Acadia next travels Dalhousie on Tuesday for a matchup that was postponed because of inclement weather followed by a trip to PEI for a Friday night matchup against the Panthers. UNB will head home to play the Panthers a week from tonight.

Provided by Ashley Hasler, Acadia Sports Information