Davignon scores 16 as Acadia edges UNB

Acadia improved to 6–1 with a 73–69 win over UNB on Friday night at Stu Aberdeen Court. The Axemen led by as many as 11 points and relied on eight steals and timely scoring to secure the victory.

Gabe Davignon led Acadia with 16 points, hitting three three-pointers. Kyle Munro added 15 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Donovan Reid finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Ryan Regault delivered a near triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Acadia took a 24–18 lead after the first half. After UNB opened with a 6–0 run, the Axemen responded with three straight threes — two from Regault and one from Davignon — to build a 10-point advantage late in the period. UNB closed the gap to six after a late dunk, but Acadia's four first-half steals helped maintain control.

The Axemen pushed their lead to 11 in the second half on a Munro three-pointer assisted by Regault. UNB answered through Marcus Barnes, who scored consistently in the paint and at the line. Brandon Laryea's three-pointer with 1:14 remaining gave the Reds a brief lead, followed by another from Matthias Muscroft that put UNB up five inside the final minute. Davignon scored with 27 seconds left, but UNB held the edge in the period.

UNB edged Acadia 13–12 in the next segment, with both teams trading the lead multiple times. Laryea's free throws put UNB ahead by five before Acadia responded with layups from Regault and a three-pointer by Davignon. Barnes regained the advantage for UNB late, and two free throws by Anthony Sears made it a one-point Reds lead heading into the final stretch.

Acadia closed strong, outscoring UNB 21–14 in the final half of play. Reid's layup with 34 seconds left put the Axemen up 70–69. Moments later, Robbie Grant hit a decisive three-pointer with nine seconds remaining, pushing the lead to four. Barnes turned the ball over on UNB's final possession, sealing the win.

Barnes led UNB with 24 points on 8-for-20 shooting and was perfect from the free-throw line. Laryea finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Conner Landell recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Up next: Acadia is home on Saturday, Nov. 15 to face UPEI at 8 p.m.