Acadia defeat X-Women 83-66

Photo credit Bryan Kennedy
Photo credit Bryan Kennedy

Antigonish, NS - The Acadia Axewomen defeated the StFX X-Women on a mid-week matchup by an 83-66 score in what was an impressive shooting display by both teams.

The X-Women, on the strength of great three-point shooting (70%) took a 22-18 lead after one quarter of play. Maggie Segeren (Komoka, ON) hit two early shots from beyond the arc and a last second three from Brianna Gottschall (Antigonish, NS) extended their lead. The Axewomen's defence was impressive, led by Lanae Adams (Lawrenceville, GA), who foiled a number of the X-Women's offensive sets.

The Axewomen quickly tied the game, then took the lead in the second quarter. Haley MacDonald (Port Williams, NS), showed why she is the AUS's leading scorer with 22 points going into the half, but it was her awareness with the ball and making great passes, that led to the Axewomen extending the lead. 

Acadia received strong play off the bench, with Katie McAffee's (Lower Knoxford, NB) four assists keeping the X-Women on their heels in the defensive court. Timely shooting by Jamie McCarron (New Glasgow, NS), who had nine points, kept the X-Women within touching distance at the half. Acadia led by a score of 46-35 at the half.

The third quarter of play saw Acadia continue their second quarter form as they performed equally well with and without the ball. MacDonald once again led the attack as she added ten points to her account. Substitute Rachel Clouatre-Trudeau (Quebec City, QC) was particularly effective in the quarter. 

For the X-Women, the three-point shooting that kept them in the game went cold. Their sets became less fluid than in the first half and they struggled defensively to maintain the first half intensity. The Axewomen were up 65-48 after the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was a tighter affair with both teams finishing strong. While Acadia went to their bench, the game's intensity did not diminish. Kaisen MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS) emerged from the bench and scored a quick for points for the visitors. The X-Women, for their part, had solid performances from both Gottschall and Kingsbury and point guard Segeren maintained control of the game with the ball in hand kept her concentration well on the defensive end.

The final score of 83-66 was a fair reflection of the evening's play. Acadia have polished and proved performers, but the young and improving X-Women made the Axewomen work for every point.

Haley MacDonald earned Subway player of the game honours as she finished with a game-high 34 points. Ellen Hatt (Fall River, NS) scored 11, while Clouatre-Trudeau and Shaylyn Field (Wolfville, NS) each contributed nine off the bench. Sarsha Cadle (Melbourne, AUS) was the Axewomen's top rebounder with eight on the night.

For the X-Women, Gottschall scored 15 points and Kimberly Kingsbury (Nepean, ON) netted 14. X-Women player of the game McCarron added 12.

Next up on the AUS schedule sees Acadia host the Cape Breton Capers on Saturday evening, February 9th, in Wolfville. The X-Women will also be at home on Saturday night as they host Saint Mary's. Tip-off for both games is 6:00 pm.

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Courtesy Bart Sears, StFX Sports Information