(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The UNB Varsity Reds improved to 5-1 and a share of first place Saturday night thanks to a 42-point performance from rookie guard and CIS scoring leader Javon Masters as UNB downed Acadia 96-86 in Wolfville.

Masters, the reigning CIS athlete of the week, had his second impressive point total of the season with 42 points on 11-of-18 from the field, including four-of-six from beyond the arc. Masters also converted 16-of-19 free throw attempts and collected five rebounds.

Matthew Daley also contributed 23 points for UNB.

Anthony Ashe started off strong for the Axemen, netting 14 of his 16 first-half points, but UNB held onto a lead after first quarter for the entire game.

The Varsity Reds pulled ahead by as many as 21 points with six minutes remaining in the third quarter, but Acadia's Subway Player of the Game AJ Simmonds spearheaded a 17-4 run that closed the gap to 74-69 30 seconds into the final frame.

Acadia applied the pressure in the final frame and closed the score to within five, but costly fouls resulting in an early bonus situation for UNB made the deficit difficult to overcome.

Owen Klassen posted 24 points for Axemen, 16 of which were from the charity stripe. AJ Simmonds and Anthony Ashe added 16 points each while Kyle Arseneault netted 12.

UNB gathered 23 points off of turnovers, along with 16 points from the bench, while the Axemen had 22 points off of second chances compared to UNB's six.

Acadia hosts rivals StFX next Thursday night at home for the final home game before the holiday break, while UNB hosts Saint Mary's Saturday, Nov. 30.

Both games begin at 8 p.m. and can be seen live at www.AUStv.ca.