X-Women split weekend games with Reds

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS beat the STFX X-Women 61-53 in Atlantic University Sport women's basketball on Saturday at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

Maheva Ngassam (Saint Hubert, QC) set the tone early for the REDS, scoring the opening basket and energizing her team.

Later, with UNB trailing, Sashaneil Dabb (Halifax, NS) brought the crowd to its feet with a clutch three-pointer, tying the game at 9-9.

Defensive rebounds from Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) and timely free throws by Ngassam helped UNB close the first quarter with an 18-15 lead.

The X-Women pushed back in the second quarter, but back-to-back plays by Dabb and Lillian Fuller (Dartmouth, NS) secured a slim 33-32 lead for UNB at halftime.

The third quarter saw scoring opportunities limited at both ends of the floor.

Ayla White (Ancaster, ON) kept STFX in the game, tying the score at 37-37 with a key basket, but the REDS responded with strong defense and timely scoring, regaining the lead at 46-42.

Despite late offensive efforts from the X-Women, UNB held firm to score the 61-53 victory.

Shannon Neita (Toronto, ON) led a strong defensive effort for X with 19 rebounds while Addie Mombourquette (Fredericton, NB) scored 15 points for UNB. She was named Tim Horton's Player of the Game.

With the win, UNB is now 3-and-3. The X-Women are also 3-and-3.

The REDS will hit the road next weekend, traveling to Wolfville to face the Acadia Axewomen on Friday evening. Game time is set for 6:00pm.

The X-Women return home to host UPEI on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 6:00pm.

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RECAP BY: Annabelle Jewett/for UNB Athletics