(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS opened the 2022-23 Atlantic University Sport season with an 87-62 win over the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday evening.
UNB's Jolianne Guay (Prévost, QC) led all scorers with 19 points and was named Subway Player of the Game.
"So good," said Guay, of the win. "It feels so good."
Guay's 19 points saw her connect on five of seven attempts from three point range.
"I was, just, not thinking about it. I was just letting it go."
The REDS started quickly, building a 12-2 lead before the game was four minutes old, but the young Tigers wouldn't back down.
Dal got back-to-back three-point baskets from first-year guard Gracie Dalton (Cape Broyle, NL) to trim UNB's lead to four points, before the REDS went on a 6-0 run, pushing their lead to 20-10.
After one quarter, the REDS led 24-15.
In the second, the Tigers roared to life, coming within three points of the REDS at 26-23, but the REDS size and experience helped hold Dal at bay.
The REDS rode baskets by Guay, Katie McAffee (Lower Knoxford, NB), and Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) to a 35-25 lead midway through the quarter, and led 42-29 at the half.
With Dal pressing in the third quarter and looking to close the gap to single digits, McKinley Bezanson (Hantsport, NS) hit a three-point shot to give UNB a 14-point edge, at 50-36.
Late in the third, the REDS extended their lead to 20 points, at 64-44, and kept pushing, taking a 69-46 lead to the fourth.
In the end, the REDS proved too much, scoring the 87-62 win.
"I think we did a good job with our box out, our shooting, and our driving," said Guay. "We did a good job. We still have some work to do. We'll have to be better tomorrow, but I think we did a good job."
Butts finished the night with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. McAffee also scored 13 for UNB.
In her AUS debut, Leah Travers (Calgary, AB) scored 14 points off the UNB bench.
Dalton led the Tigers with 12 points and eight rebounds.
"I think our young kids fought pretty hard," said first year Tigers' head coach Tanya McKay. "We might be the youngest team in U SPORTS, so I'm pleased. They showed me they're learning and they're not afraid."
Kelsey Crocker (St. John's, NL) had nine points for the Tigers.
"The kids were playing tough on D and they were challenging on offence," said Coach McKay. "There are things we have to improve. We have to improve boxing out and taking care of the ball, but it's going to be small steps for us."
The REDS and Tigers conclude their season-opening weekend series on Saturday. Tip-off is at 6:00pm.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics