Barnes Leads REDS Past Panthers

(FREDERICTON, NB) Marcus Barnes scored a game-high 24 points to lead the UNB REDS in a hard-fought 85-70 Atlantic University Sport season-opening win over the UPEI Panthers, Friday night at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

Barnes was named the Tim Horton's Player of the Game.

Both teams raced out of the starting blocks, scoring a combined 41 points in the opening quarter. UNB held a 21-20 lead after 10 minutes.

The Panthers surged ahead in the second quarter, leading 45-41 at the half.

The UNB defence clamped down in the second half, limiting the Panthers to 16 points in the third quarter and just nine in the fourth.

Connor Landell recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds for the REDS while Eden Otshudi dropped 16 points for UNB. He was 4-for-7 from three-point range.

Brandon Laryea had 11 points for the REDS, including a couple of emphatic slam dunks late in the game.

Owen Smith and Cameron Brown both came off the Panthers bench to lead UPEI scorers with 13 and 12 points respectively.

The Panthers and REDS tangle again Saturday in the second of their two game weekend series. Game time is 4:00pm.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS

PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB REDS