Halifax, NS - The StFX X-Women dropped an 84-44 decision to the CIS No. 5 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies Saturday evening in AUS basketball action as both teams opened regular season play.

Lindsay Lessard (Waterloo, ON) led the X-Women with 16 points, while Antigonish native Melissa Gottschall added 10. The duo topped the X-Women with four rebounds apiece.

Shannon Hatch (Arzo, Switzerland) led StFX with two steals.

The X-Women played without post player Kolbi Roper (North Vancouver, BC).

StFX shot 44.4 per cent from the field, while the defending AUS champion Saint Mary's connected on 71.1 per cent of their shots.

The Huskies led the X-Women 19-11 after the first quarter and 35-14 at halftime after opening up a 16-3 advantage in the second quarter on some strong three-point shooting.

Veronica Vaickus, off the bench, led Saint Mary's with a game-high 23 points, while Carlie Nugent added 11. Vaickus also had 5 steals in the game.

The X-Women return to action Wednesday, Nov. 12, when they travel to Wolfville to face the Acadia Axewomen. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.