Game recap by: Kirk Jessome
(Halifax, NS) – In their first matchup of the season, the Dalhousie Tigers took on the UNB Varsity Reds in a key four-point game in front of a near capacity crowd at the Dalplex. The Tigers inside game opened up a third quarter run that proved to be too much for UNB to come back from, and the Tigers took the 85-68 victory.
In a fast paced, transition dominant start to the game, it was a block party on both sides early. Cedric Sanogo (Montreal, QC) picked up blocks on back to back plays, while Dylan Baker (Narre Warren South, AUS) showed his athleticism on a chase down block to take away the easy layup.
The opening minutes set the tone for the game early, with a physical contest resulting in three-point plays coming on both ends for Keevan Veinot (Port Williams, NS) and Javon Masters (Kitchener, ON).
Warren Liang (Vancouver, BC) picked up huge points for the Tigers at the end of the quarter, knocking down a three, followed by a buzzer beating jumper from the elbow to put the Tigers up 20-16 heading into the second quarter.
The shooting cooled down for both teams in the second quarter with both the defence on both sides forcing turnovers and tough shots.
Masters continued to find timely scoring for the Varsity Reds to keep the game close, but the Tigers held the edge thanks to another three from Warren Liang, as well as shooting from Sven Stammberger who picked up 11 points and eight boards through two quarters.
Cooper Wilks (Sydney, AUS) pitched in getting down low in the final minutes of the half to get to the line and make the free throws count. His shots from the line brought the Varsity Reds within four heading into the break trailing 37-33.
Ibrahima Doumbouya (Calgary, AB) proved that he was not only an inside threat by knocking down a deep three-point shot to open up the third quarter for UNB, leading their scoring with 14 points.
The Tigers made an obvious effort to get into the paint in the third quarter, but using the dribble more than the pass and being forced to take some tough shots in the lane, but the shots were falling for Xavier Ochu (Milton, ON) who put up eight in the quarter midway through.
Driving to the lane continued to generate scoring for the Tigers with Keevan Veinot getting to the line, and the Tigers opened up their lead to 15 on a three from Alex Carson (Lower Sackville, NS).
Javon Masters continued to get it done for the Varsity Reds, getting into the lane, and making his chances count at the line, going a perfect 8-8 through three quarters.
Heading into the fourth the Tigers led 62-49.
Continuing the physical trend, both teams worked the ball inside and finished well through contact and got to the line.
The Tigers were getting the better opportunities however with Sven Stammberger working inside and opening up shots for Alex Carson from long range and the lead extended to 23 points midway through the fourth.
Stammberger and Carson continued to link up as they kept the game out of reach for the Tigers taking this one 85-68.
Masters finished the game with an impressive stat-line of 20 points, five assists and four rebounds, going 10-10 from the line. Stammberger earned the Subway Player of the Game nod, finishing with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
The Tigers are back in action when they travel to StFX. UNB will take on Saint Mary's in back to back games at home next weekend.