Vassell leads Huskies in 88-68 win over UNB

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - Boyd Vassell had 19 points for the Saint Mary's Huskies, as they defeated the visiting UNB Varsity Reds, 88-68 in AUS men's basketball action Saturday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax.

UNB opened the first quarter with a quick 4-0 run before the Huskies tied the game 10-10 on Brian Rouse's jump shot at the 5:42 mark. Saint Mary's went on a 13-4 run to close out the first quarter, leading 23-14.

The second quarter was the same as the first and the Huskies extended their lead, 46-29 at the half.

UNB fought back in the third frame, scoring 24 points to trim the Huskies lead to 11 points, 64-53.

Saint Mary's scored 24 points themselves in the fourth quarter and closed out the game 88-68.

UNB Javon Masters led all scorers with 34 points, shooting 8-16 from the floor and made 16-17 free throws.

Masters tops the AUS in scoring, averaging 27.6 points per game. Daniel Quirion and Mark Matheson also added eight points each for UNB.

Leonard Riley poured in 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds and went 4-for-5 from three-point land off the bench for Saint Mary's. Theon Reefer added 12 points for the Huskies, while his teammate Harry Ezenibe recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Reefer's 18.8 points per game average is good for third in AUS play, while Vassell is fourth with 17.2.

Also scoring for Saint Mary's were Riley Halpin with seven points and Brian Rouse and Ryan Augustine with six points each. Travis Adams had five points, while Jeremy McAvoy had four points and Mitch Harrison had two points.

UNB falls to 8-10 and holds the last AUS playoff spot. They return to action Feb. 21 when they host the Cape Breton Capers.

With the win, Saint Mary's improves to 12-6 on the year. They will host the Memorial Sea-Hawks for an 8 p.m. tipoff Feb. 21.

Saint Mary's Sports Information