Varsity Reds defeat X-Men 99-86

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds scored 59 second half points to beat the visiting StFX X-Men 99-86, on Saturday.

Jamaal Potopsingh (Brampton, ON) came off the bench to score a game-high 27 points for the Varsity Reds. He was named Subway Player of the Game.

Javon Masters (Kitchener, ON) returned after a three game absence, scoring 23 points.

Kevin Bercy (Kanata, ON) scored 21 points to lead the X-Men, one of four X starters to score in double figures.

"It was a team effort," said Potopsingh. "Everybody did their part in getting the win. We couldn't have done it without any one of these guys." Potopsingh contributed 7 seven rebounds to the Varsity Reds effort too.

The two teams were tied 22-22 after one quarter, and X led 42-40 at the half.

"We had to pick up the energy and intensity, just pick up our defence," said Potopsingh, of the Varsity Reds second half surge.

"In the third quarter, they shot 70%, and that was the quarter that really did it," said X-Men head coach Steve Konchalski. "They shot 59% in the fourth quarter. They just got red hot and give them credit for that."

Masters played in his first game since January 27^th, when he injured his left ankle. "It feels good to be back," said the two-time reigning Atlantic University Sport MVP.

"It was our defensive energy in the third quarter," said Masters. "We were able to build ourselves a bit of a lead and then we made some key shots down the stretch. It was a team effort, really."

With the win, the Varsity Reds are 11-6, holding second place in the AUS standings. StFX is now 8-8 and in fourth place in the AUS.

The teams face each other again on Sunday. "I think we've just got to play tougher defence and hope that they're not as hot as they were from long range," said Konchalski.

Sunday's tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Centre. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, but was postponed because of weather.

Courtesy Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics