X-Women drop second game to Reds

ANTIGONISH, NS - A strong fourth quarter powered the UNB REDS to an 84-62 win over the STFX X-Women on Coach K Court Saturday afternoon. It was the second win of the weekend for the REDS, who dropped the X-Women 66-53 on Friday night.

The teams traded scores early but the REDS pulled out to a five point lead with about four minutes left in the quarter. The X-Women kept their composure and drew even late in the quarter, which ended with the teams tied 18-18.

Shannon Neta (Toronto, ON) had nine of the X-Women's first quarter points, while Reese Baxendale (Sussex, NB) had seven for the Reds. The X-Women defence came out to pay early, causing six turnovers in the quarter, while allowing only two.

Speaking of defence, neither team was able to light up the scoreboard for the first two minutes of the second quarter. A Jolianne Guay (Prevost, QC) three-pointed gave the REDS a four point lead about midway through the quarter, and they lead by as much as nine. A 5-0 run by the X-Women cut the lead to four points with about two minutes left, and the teams traded buckets until the end of the half, with UNB leading 36-31.

Ekaterina Karchevskaya (Mogilev, BY) had a strong first half for the X-Women, with 13 points including making all five of her free throws. Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) had 11 points in the first half for the Reds, including three three-pointers.

During the half, Baxendale scored her 1,000th point of her AUS career. She scored the first 984 points of her career with UPEI Panthers.

The X-Women scored the first three points of the third quarter, but UNB followed up with an eight-point run. STFX had a quick run of their own late in the quarter, with Kristine Cooper (Hamilton, ON) hitting a three-pointer, then stealing the ball back and picking up another two points. That sparked the STFX offence, which outscored the REDS 22-20 in the quarter, ending with UNB leading by three points, 56-53.

The REDS pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the X-Women, 28-8 in the final 10 minutes and sealing the victory.

Speedy finished the game with 20 points, two rebounds, and an assist for UNB, while player of the game Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) had 18 points, seven boards, and three assists.

Neita lead the way for the X-Women, with 18 points and 9 rebounds, and earned player of the game honours for her squad. Karchevskaya finished with 16 points, two rebounds and an assist. 

The X-Women are on the road next weekend for a pair of road games against the UPEI Panthers, with the first set for Friday evening at 6 p.m. The REDS also hit the court next weekend, hosting Memorial next Friday night at 6 p.m.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics