Varsity Reds secure win over X-Men

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) The UNB Varsity Reds defeated the StFX X-Men 98-74 in front of over 400 fans at the Richard J. Currie Center Friday night.

UNB is currently ranked first in the AUS and sixth nationally with a 5-0 record in the regular season. With the loss, the X-Men fall to 1-3.

The Varsity Reds hit 80 per cent from the free-throw line and landed 14 three-pointers - including Will McFee's beauty of a shot at the halftime buzzer, giving the home team a 49-39 advantage.

The Varsity Reds led 26-21 after the first quarter.

McFee had a stellar first half, leading scoring with 18 points. He added an additional five in the second half for a total of 23 points, second only to fellow V-Red Javon Masters who racked up 25. McFee also had four assists and four steals while McMaster dished out nine helpers.

Three other Varsity Reds hit the double scoring digits including Jordan Irvine off the bench with 12 and Ryan Smith and Dylan Baker who each scored 11. Smith led the team in rebounding with eight on the night.

Replying for the X-Men was Julius Antoine with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, while the StFX bench outscored the UNB bench 37-20.

Davonte Provo scored 11 points for the X-Men, along with three rebounds, 2 assists and three steals. Alastair Cole and Jordan Tyrrell each scored 10 points. Cameron Walker led the X-Men with seven rebounds.

UNB head coach Brent Baker says he's happy to take the win tonight but is expecting tomorrow to be another tough battle.

"They hung with us for three quarters," Baker said. "I think it's going to be another grind tomorrow. I think our guys are going to come out just as motivated. Back-to-back games are never easy in the AUS so we know what we're up against."

UNB plays StFX at home again tomorrow at 6pm.

Contributions from UNB Athletics Communications