(ANTIGONISH, NS) The UNB Reds outscored the St FX X-Women 42-30 in the second half, on route to an 81-61 victory Saturday night.
The win was worth four points in the Atlantic University Sport standings as the Reds improved to 8-and-9 on the season. The X-Women drop to 3-and-14, and are officially eliminated from AUS playoff contention.
Subway Player of the Game Mikaela Dodig (Bolton, ON) scored a game-high 23 points to the lead the Reds, and added six rebounds, six assists and a steal.
The first quarter was evenly played as both squads exchanged baskets throughout the opening 10 minutes. Marley Bonnick (Brampton, ON) hit a pair of three-pointers for X as they took a 19-16 lead after the opening quarter.
The X-Women increased their lead to open the second quarter. Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, NS) drained a three-pointer three minutes in to give them a 28-20 advantage.
The Reds came right back however, and took their first lead of the game later in the quarter, going up 33-28 with three minutes left in the half, part of a 13 point run.
Katie Daley (Hanwell, NB) started the run with back-to-back baskets from beyond the arc, and the Reds had sharp shooting from Dodig and Eva Tumwine (Fredericton, NB) as they led 39-31 at half-time.
The X-Women were unable to get back into the game as UNB continued their strong play in the third quarter, and built a 12-point lead, 49-37, in the opening four minutes of play.
X could not mount an offensive attack as the Reds shut them down late in the quarter, and held a 57-43 lead after three.
The X-Women put more points up in the fourth quarter, but were outscored 24-18 as the Reds held on for the 20-point margin of victory.
Along with Dodig's 23 points, three more Reds hit double digits, including Tumwine with 18, Jolianne Guay (Prevost, QC) with 14 and Grace Simpson (Fredericton, NB) with 10.
For the X-Women, Fraser finished with 14 points and Bonnick had 12, as did Emma Norris (Edmonton, AB) off the X bench.
St FX will be back in action on Wednesday night, when they host Saint Mary's.
UNB will hit the court at home Saturday night, when they host Memorial.
RECAP BY: Krista McKenna/St FX Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Paul Hurford/for St FX Athletics