REDS edge Huskies 94-87 in OT thriller

HALIFAX, NS – UNB centre Connor Landell recorded a 13-point, 23-rebound double-double and sent the game to overtime with a buzzer-beating three at the end of regulation, leading the REDS to a dramatic 94-87 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport men's basketball action on Friday night at the Homburg Centre.

The visitors opened up a quick 18-11 lead, after a Connor Landell (St. Catharine's, ON) put-back lay-up. But the Huskies closed the quarter strong, with back-to-back three-pointers from guards Dawson John (Brantford, ON) and Jayrell Diggs (East Preston, NS) cutting the lead to 18-17 heading into first intermission.

Diggs' hot shooting continued into the second quarter, as he hit a pair of threes, with the first giving the Huskies a 28-27 lead, but REDS guard Marcus Barnes (Kitchener, ON) answered with his own pair of threes. The REDS led 37-34, but the Huskies once again closed the quarter on a run, with a jumper from Jasha'jaun Downey (North Preston, NS) followed by a last-second three from Diggs putting the home team ahead 39-37 at the half.

Jayrell Diggs led all scorers with 18 first half points, including 4/9 from beyond the arc, as he moved into third place all-time in the AUS record books for three-pointers made (212 threes in 88 games played). The REDS were led by 12 first-half points from each of Marcus Barnes and forward Brandon Laryea (Crawley, UK).

The back-and-forth action continued into the third quarter. REDS forward Mark Tobin's (Mount Pearl, NL) lay-in cut the Huskies lead to 48-47, but the Huskies came storming back, with a Jahsemar Olembe (Kitchener, ON) three-pointer, followed by a huge steal and slam from Marcus Green (Toronto, ON) put SMU ahead 55-47, sending the Homburg Centre crowd into a frenzy.

The Huskies run continued with a three-pointer from Dawson John, giving them their largest lead of the game at 58-47. That's when REDS guard Eden Otshudi (Hamilton, ON) got hot, hitting back-to-back threes and a pair of free-throws to cut the lead to 58-57, before Jasha'jaun Downey hit a lay-up to cut the lead to 60-57 after three-quarters of play.

Saint Mary's continued to grow their lead into the fourth, with a three from Downey pushing the lead to 65-59. But Otshudi continued to answer every Huskies three, making two quick ones of his own to bring the REDS within two, 67-65.

Later in the quarter, Downey hit another three, followed by another lay-up, to extend the Huskies lead to 77-71 with just over two minutes remaining. But Marcus Barnes took control, hitting three-straight threes, with the final three cutting the Huskies lead to 83-80 with just 30 seconds remaining.

After Saint Mary's missed a lay-up, Barnes missed a three, but a scramble for the rebound resulted in the REDS getting a baseline inbound with under four seconds remaining. Otshudi inbounded to Conner Landell, who made a falling three-pointer to beat the buzzer and send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Barnes hit his sixth three of the night, putting the REDS ahead 88-85. UNB clamped down defensively, forcing several Huskies turnovers, and a lay-up from Laryea, followed by a pair of free-throws from each of Barnes and Tobin put the finishing touches on the dramatic 94-87 victory.

REDS centre Connor Landell was named Player of the Game, stuffing the stat sheet with 13 points, 23 rebounds and two blocks. Brandon Laryea added a 26-point, 10 rebound double-double, tying with Marcus Barnes' 26 points for the team lead.

The Huskies were led in defeat by a game-high 29 points from Jayrell Diggs, who added seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. Jasha'jaun Downey added 20, and Dawson John chipped in 15 points of the Huskies bench.

With the win, the REDS improve to 12-6 on the campaign, while the Huskies drop to 4-13. The two teams will meet again on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. That will be Senior Day for the Huskies, as they celebrate graduating seniors Jayrell Diggs, Devawn White and Jonah Crowther prior to their final regular season home game at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics