Linton-Brown leads Huskies to 77-71 win over REDS

FREDERICTON, NB - The Saint Mary's Huskies bounced back for their first win of 2023, defeating the UNB REDS 77-71 in Atlantic University Sport men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon in Fredericton, N.B.

Huskies guard Shae Linton-Brown (Toronto, ON) stuffed the stat sheet, leading all players with 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, and was named Subway Player of the Game.  

The REDS struggled in the opening minutes, unable to score until after the two-minute mark when forward Norm Burry (Grafton, NB) put away a three-point jump shot. Both teams challenged back and forth throughout the remaining eight minutes, wrapping up the quarter with the REDS trailing the Huskies 20-18.

The second quarter was close throughout, with the score tied 38-38 at the half.

The REDS were able to pull ahead of the Huskies in the third quarter, closing out the quarter with a 59-56 lead.  

The Huskies offence came alive in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, outscoring the REDS 11-4 over the first five minutes. The REDS were able to take back the lead, but an and-one lay-in by Huskies guard Jayrell Diggs (East Preston, N.S.) put the visitors up for good with two-minutes remaining and the Huskies held on for the 77-71 victory.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Jayrell Diggs with a clutch and-1 late to restore the @SMUMensBBall lead 70-68 with just under two minutes remaining. pic.twitter.com/i2U9nnqRHl

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 7, 2023

Diggs scored 19 points and added nine rebounds for the Huskies, while first-year centre Topaz Nnani (Edmonton, AB), helped spark the fourth quarter comeback with five points, three rebounds and a block.

The REDS were led by Burry with 23 points and five rebounds.

The Huskies win improves their record to 6-5 on the season. Saint Mary's will be back on the road on Thursday, heading to Wolfville, N.S. to take on the Acadia Axewomen, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m.

The REDS loss drops their record to 4-7 on the campaign. They'll also hit the road next weekend, taking on the UPEI Panthers on Friday.

Recap by: Lauren Kelly / for UNB Athletics
Photos by: James West / for UNB Athletics