REDS Need OT, Rally Past Huskies

(HALIFAX, NS) Conner Landell's banked three-point basket with less than a second left to play forced overtime and the UNB REDS dominated the extra frame, beating the Saint Mary's Huskies 94-87 in dramatic fashion in Atlantic University Sport men's basketball action, Friday night in Halifax.

"This was a big road win for our team, the type of win that will go a long way come the playoffs," said REDS' head coach Joe Salerno. "Multiple guys stepped up in big moments tonight. Obviously, Conner's three with time expiring was huge."

Marcus Barnes scored 26 points in the REDS win, including a pair of three-point baskets with under a minute to play in regulation and another in overtime. Barnes also had seven rebounds and three assists in the win.

Brandon Laryea scored 26 points too and added 10 rebounds and three blocks.

Landell finished the night with 13 points and a whopping 23 rebounds.

Eden Otshudi tacked on 18 points.

"Marcus and Eden hit big shot after big shot, and it may have been the best game I've seen Brandon have in his career," said Salerno.

With just three reserves on the bench, the REDS' five starters all logged at least 35 minutes with Barnes and Otshudi playing 43 and 40 minutes respectively.

Jayrell Diggs led the Huskies with 29 points while Jasha'jaun Downey dropped 20 and Dawson John came off the Huskies bench to score 15.

The Huskies led 39-37 at the half but couldn't stop the surging REDS in the second and the extra period.

With the win, the REDS are now 12-6 and sit second in the AUS standings with 24 points.

The Huskies are now 4-13 and are in eighth place.

"It was a true team effort, and I couldn't be more proud of our guys," said Salerno.

The Huskies and REDS will wrap up their two-game weekend series on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00pm.

STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS

PHOTOS BY: Mona Ghiz/for SMU Athletics