Halifax, NS – In the second game of a home-and-home series, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted the StFX X-Women at the Dalplex. After a tight first half, the Tigers shooters got going in the second to lead them to a 67-50 victory.
The Tigers got off to a strong start on the attacking end with Lia Kentzler (Gottingen, GER) controlling the offensive glass early to create second, and even third chance opportunities for the Tigers.
Both teams had some shooting troubles throughout the first quarter, each dipping under 20% from the field for stretches of time, but Jamie McCarron (New Glasgow, NS) knocked down a shot from deep midway through to help spark the X-Women scoring.
At the end of the quarter, the Tigers held the lead at 11-10.
The Tigers offensive struggles continued at the beginning of the second quarter, with a trap defense thrown at them from the X-Women causing turnovers, and the Tigers were held to just two points in five minutes.
The X-Women were able to take advantage of extra possessions on the other end, and get Katie MacIntosh (Barrie, ON) active in the paint to take their first lead of the game.
The Tigers finally found their outside shot at the end of the half with Chelsea Slawter-Wright (Dartmouth, NS) hitting two shots from deep, and another with a toe on the line to give the Tigers a big swing in momentum heading into half.
At the break, the Tigers led 26-22.
The Tigers were able to move the ball into the paint in the second half, instead of having to rely on outside shots. Kentzler was active not only on the glass, but now converted those second chance opportunities herself and the lead pushed to 11 midway through the third.
Once again it was McCarron hitting a shot from deep to stop the Tigers run, but the score continued to get away from them, as a jumper from Emily Holt (Halifax, NS) in the final seconds made it 44-34 going into the fourth.
The lead continued to stretch for the Tigers, as a quick run in the opening minutes of the quarter saw Kentzler make it 20 midway through.
As the benches came on to play out the final minutes of the game, the Tigers were able to secure the 67-50 victory to sweep the home-and-home.
Lia Kentzler earned herself the Subway Player of the Game title in this one, leading the Tigers with 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Kimberly Kingsbury (Nepean, ON) quietly led the X-Women, picking up 15 points in the loss.
The Tigers will be back on the court on Tuesday when they face Saint Mary's in an important four-point game. The X-Women will be back home on Wednesday when they take on Cape Breton, before hitting the road for three straight.
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Courtesy Kirk Jessome, Dalhousie Sports Information