Grant’s 31-Point double-double lifts Acadia past UNB
Acadia University earned a decisive 77–58 win over the University of New Brunswick on Saturday at the Richard J. Currie Center. The Axemen controlled the game from start to finish, powered by 26 second-chance points and a dominant performance on the glass.
Robbie Grant led Acadia with 31 points and 14 rebounds, recording a double-double while shooting efficiently inside. Gabe Davignon added 13 points, including three three-pointers, and four assists. Kyle Munro finished with 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Ryan Regault contributed six points and five assists.
Acadia set the tone early in the opening half, sparked by Grant's layup at 9:10 off a pass from Regault. Strong defensive pressure helped generate turnovers, with Donovan Reid and Regault each coming up with steals. Davignon's three-pointer at 6:51 capped a 10–3 run and forced an early UNB timeout. Malko Young added two late three-pointers, including one at 0:54, as Acadia closed the half ahead 26–10. Grant's jumper with 15 seconds remaining solidified the commanding lead.
Grant extended the margin to 29–12 early in the second half with a three-pointer at 9:30. UNB responded with baskets from Conner Landell and Marcus Barnes, but Munro's free throws and a Regault jumper pushed the lead to 40–21. Acadia maintained control throughout the frame, outscoring UNB 22–21 to carry their advantage forward.
The Axemen continued to build momentum in the third, highlighted by Grant's scoring inside and a layup assisted by Davignon at 6:23. UNB's Eden Otshudi hit a three-pointer at 9:00, but Acadia remained in control, consistently converting off offensive rebounds. Grant's three-pointer at 3:04 widened the gap to 20 points, and Acadia ended the half leading 65–49.
In the final frame, Munro opened with a jumper to extend the lead to 16. Grant added two more baskets in the paint, including a layup at 1:20 set up by Regault, making it 76–56. Davignon added a three-pointer and mid-range jumper, sealing Acadia's dominant win.
Landell led UNB with 18 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 7-for-8 from the field. Otshudi added 13 points, three three-pointers, four assists and two steals. Barnes contributed 12 points but committed five turnovers. Laryea added seven rebounds and a block.
Acadia returns home on January 9 at 6 p.m.
