The StFX X-Women suffered an 81-69 loss to the CIS ranked No. 1 Saint Mary's Huskies in Wednesday night action at the Homburg Centre in Halifax.

The X-Women hung close with the Huskies in their AUS home opener through three quarters of play, but a 13-2 run early in the fourth quarter was the difference as Laura Langille paced the Huskies scoring 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Langille was 5 for 6 from three-point range.

In a well balanced attack, Rachelle Coward scored 22 points and had two blocks, while reigning CIS most valuable player Justine Colley added 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

The X-Women led 19-18 after the first quarter while the Huskies held a 36-35 edge at halftime. Saint Mary's increased their lead to 56-52 after 30 minutes of play before outscoring the X-Women 25-17 in the final frame.

Veteran Lia St. Pierre continued her strong play for the X-Women with a double-double night, leading the team with 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

Rebecca Sheehan and Vanessa Pickard each scored 10 points. Sheehan also had five steals.
Kolbi Roper and Lindsay Lessard contributed nine points apiece for StFX.

As the Huskies improve to 3-0 on the season the X-Women fall to 1-2. The same two squads will play a rematch Saturday afternoon in Antigonish. Tip-off is 2:00 pm at the StFX Oland Centre.