Maillet leads Tigers to victory over REDS

Written by Andy Campbell, UNB Athletics

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Dalhousie Tigers used a strong fourth quarter to beat the UNB REDS 70-64 in a close Atlantic University Sport men's basketball game on Friday at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center. 

Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) and Javordo Mitchell (Woodbridge, ON) each had 15 points for UNB while Brandon Laryea (Crawley, UK) added a dozen. 

"I think their zone disrupted us," said Laryea. "It took us out of our rhythm. We were struggling to make plays and knock down shots." 

The home team ran out to an early 7-2 lead before pushing it to 12-6 mid-way through the opening quarter. 

A Malcolm Christie (Fredericton, NB) three-pointer pulled the Tigers to within three, 17-14, as the quarter expired. 

In the second, the REDS worked well inside to extend their lead by as much as six, but the Tigers kept pace. 

At the half, UNB held a 32-31 lead with both teams, remarkably, shooting 9-for-16 from the field in the half. 

In the third quarter, the REDS held Dal to just 13 points, but scored only 16 and led 48-44 headed to the fourth. 

Christie erupted for 15 points in the final frame, driving Dal's offence and leading the Tigers' come-from-behind win. 

"Until the fourth quarter, I was really struggling," said Christie. "I was just trying to stay in it mentally and do whatever I could to help us win. It was getting to the free throw line. I saw a couple drop and I was feeling it again." 

With less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Christie hit on three free throws to put Dal up 55-53. On the next possession, he hit a three while being fouled and connected on the ensuing free throw as Dal went up 59-53. 

The REDS crept to within four, at 64-60, on a couple of late Mitchell free throw makes, but time ran out and Dal escaped with the win. 

"It hurts. We could've beat them," said Laryea. "We're at home, the crowd… it definitely does hurt. I don't know where we stand in the table after this, but hopefully we can bounce back." 

Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) scored eight points and grabbed 15 rebounds for UNB. 

Sam Maillet (Moncton, NB) registered 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Tigers. 

The loss drops the REDS to 5-and-6, good for 10 points and a three-way share of fifth place in the AUS standings. 

Dal, now 6-and-6, is part of a three-way tie for second place. 

The Tigers are back on the road next Friday, visiting Acadia. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00pm. 

The REDS have less than 24 hours to rebound. They're back in action Saturday, hosting the Saint Mary's Huskies in a scheduled 8:00pm tip.