X-Women fall to Sea-Hawks 71-61

ANTIGONISH, NS - The Memorial Sea-Hawks used a strong first quarter and tight defense to earn a 71-61 win over the STFX X-Women on Coach K Court in Antigonish on Friday night. Amelia Mithcell led the way for the visitors with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game Abby Mercer had 16 points and six rebounds for the X-Women. 

The Sea-Hawks pulled ahead early, opening the game with a 10-0 run. STFX got back on track and pulled within six points by the end of the opening quarter. 

The teams traded buckets to open the second quarter, with each side clamping down on defense. Memorial extended their lead with another short run, but the X-Women replied with a three-pointer from Mercer to make it a 9-point game two minutes before half.

Ofer Caspi hit a late triple for the X-Women but a jumper and foul shot from Ava Keating made it 42-34 in favour of the visitors at halftime.  

The X-Women opened the third with a 4-0 run before Keating hit a three for the Sea-Hawks. The remainder of the quarter remained low scoring and even, with Kristine Cooper hitting a triple in the final 30 seconds to make it a five-point game going into the final quarter as the X-Women trailed 49-44. 

Both teams came out quick in the final quarter, with each netting six points in the first three minutes. Shannon Neita hit a pair of free throws and Mikaela James hit another to cut the lead to three with four minutes left.

The X-Women tied things up briefly but a triple from Serena Phillips and a jumper from Brooke Ledevehat put Memorial up by 5 with two minutes still on the clock. The X-Women worked to get back into the game, but Memorial nailed timely free throws near the end to finish with the win. 

Both teams return to action at Coach K Court on Saturday, January 10, at 1 p.m. 

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics