(FREDERICTON, N.B.) - The UNB Varsity Reds men's basketball team clinched a first-place finish in regular season action Saturday afternoon after defeating Memorial University 97-79. This is UNB's first time finishing first in the AUS since 1967. 

This afternoon's game was a team effort with several of players contributing to the V-Reds' winning effort. Matt Daley (Belledune, N.B.) had 13 points and seven rebounds and Will McFee (Northbridge, Australia) put up a huge 25 points.  

UNB started off a little slow, with Memorial leading 17-15 in the first quarter. But as the game progressed, the Varsity Reds picked up the momentum and showed why they are first in the AUS. 

"Coming down the stretch we really played well and executed as a team" said UNB's Javon Masters (Kitchener, Ont.) who is currently leading the CIS in points and tallied an impressive 26 points in the game. 

McFee also contributed the win and overall success of the team this season as a whole. 

"We were firing on all cylinders," McFee said.  "I think the best thing about this team is that anyone can step up on any night." 

Subway Player of the Game was awarded to one of UNB's graduating players Ryan Smith (Dalhousie, N.B.) with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Leading the charge for Memorial was Davion Parnsalu (Ajax, Ont.) with 20 points. Jeremy Hickey (Chapels Cove, N.L.) was strong as well, with 15 points and six rebounds.

For graduating players McFee, Ryan Smith and Jordan Irvine, today was the last time they would play on home court. McFee says it was great to see five years of hard-work pay off and attributed UNB's success to head coach Brent Baker.  

"I was just along for the ride to be honest. I just tried to work hard everyday, but really you have to thank Coach Baker. He came from a winning culture and brought it here to UNB."

UNB plays next in the semi-final round of the Subway AUS men's basketball championship on Saturday, Feb. 28,  at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, N.S. The championship schedule will be released Monday once final seeding has been determined.

Source: Sam Lagacy for UNB Sports Communications