(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds scored a 73-38 win over the visiting St FX X-Women on Friday night.
Grace Simpson (Fredericton, NB) registered a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the Reds. She was named Subway Player of the Game.
"Getting rebounds is important for our team, so that's what I try and do," said Simpson. "Points are important too."
The Reds raced out of the gate, building an 8-0 lead, and forcing the X-Women to take an early time out.
The time out did little to stop the Reds, who scored on their next two possessions to push the lead to 12-0.
It wasn't until after the 5:00 mark of the opening quarter that the X-Women were finally able to register, scoring on a three-point shot.
And then they staged a bit of a rally, coming to within six points, 18-12, after one quarter.
The Reds held the X-Women to just eight points in the second quarter, taking a commanding 36-20 lead into half-time.
In the third quarter, UNB again held X to just eight points.
The visitors never really threatened and the home team, wearing their pink 'Shoot For The Cure' jerseys, won 73-38.
"It wasn't easy," said Simpson. "We came into tonight knowing that we'd have to play a full 40 minutes. This team is a good team. If we didn't play the full 40, they'd have come back and made it a game."
Eva Tumwine (Fredericton, NB) scored a game-high 16 points for the Reds, while Krystal Osburn (Nottawa, ON) came off the UNB bench to score six points and collect five rebounds.
Kimberly Kingsbury (Nepean, ON) led the X-Women with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Jamie McCarron (New Glasgow, NS) added nine points and five rebounds.
"Getting to sets and running things, we didn't do that very well," said Kingsbury. "They did have a lot of pressure on the ball."
"Our offence kind of broke down. We weren't able to get good looks and score," she said.
The game marked the opening of UNB's 'Think Pink' Weekend, which sees most UNB varsity teams contributing to the 'Shoot For The Cure' effort, which benefits the Canadian Cancer Society.
"This game definitely reminds us that basketball is just a game," said Simpson. "All these people came out to support us, but they're also here to support a great cause. We have to remember that, playing this game. A win is important, but this cause is bigger."
With the win, UNB is now 8-and-6 and in fourth place in the Atlantic University Sport standings.
The X-Women are now 0-and-12.
The Reds and X-Women meet again Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00pm.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics