CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Everyone loves home cooking and the UPEI men’s and women’s basketball teams are hoping for tasty victory meals tonight when the Panthers host UNB in their respective home openers.
Game times are 6 p.m. for the women and 8 p.m. for the men at UPEI.
It’s freshman Reese Baxendale’s first home opener at the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) level. Her UPEI squad is coming off a win and a loss last weekend on the road against Saint Mary’s and, although she hasn’t faced UNB (2-0) before, she doesn’t see that as a disadvantage.
“I’m happy that we’re 1-1. It was good to get away with a win under our belt. Looking at (UNB’s) roster, I think we match up well. We have to execute everything well, play our best as a team and play good defence,” said Baxendele, a Sussex, N.B., native. “I’m so excited to see how big the crowd is and the intensity of the game.”
The five-foot-eight guard started her rookie season well, starting both games and averaging 9.5 points and more than three assists per contest so her adjustment from high school with the Sussex Regional Sonics has been solid.
“The speed of the game (was the hardest adjustment), it’s a lot faster. And even the intensity from pre-season to regular season. The whole game just doesn’t slow down.”
On the men’s side, fifth-year guard Samy Mohamed takes his last kick at the AUS can and gets the fun job by guarding Javon Masters, UNB’s scoring machine, two-time AUS MVP and perennial all-Canadian. He’s twice led the country in scoring and is second in the AUS with 27.5 per game after two games with the 2-0 Varsity Reds.
“They have Javon Masters, one of the best players ever in the AUS. The key to winning the game is stopping him because everything runs through him. Contested jumpers, keep him off the free-throw line, keep him out of the paint, make him shoot jump shots and not layups. Teams that have done that have been successful,” said Mohamed. “If I can do that and not allow him layups, then I’ve done my job. I’m looking forward to guarding him.”
Mohamed’s also had a good start, despite the team’s 0-2 mark. He averaged 9.5 points per game and a 37.5 per cent shooting mark from the three-point line.
The six-foot, Burlington, Ont., native, is a captain this year, along with Milorad Sedlarevic and Marcus Cusinato, and Mohamed is fired up to be in the role.
“It’s the first time I’ve been a captain and excited to see how well I handle that leadership position,” he said.
The teams play again Saturday at 6 p.m. (women) and 8 p.m. (men).
By The Numbers
A look at UPEI and UNB basketball teams top three scorers after two games.
Women (points per game)
UNB – Mikaela Dodig, 15.5; Laura Kaye, 14.5; Emily MacLeod, 11.5.
UPEI – Kiera Rigby, 18; Reese Baxendale, 9.5; Jenna Mae Ellsworth, Jane McLaughlin, 7.
Men (points per game)
UNB - Javon Masters, 27.5; Will Legere, 16; Chris Spurrell, 14.
UPEI - Milorad Sedlaravic, 14.5; Bryce Corless, 12; Stefan Vujisic, 11.5.
He Said It:
“It’s when the most people come out, the crowd is the most energetic. I love playing in front of a lot of people. That support really makes a lot of difference.”
UPEI Panthers guard Samy Mohamed on playing in home opening games during his five-year career.
