REDS Grab Weekend Sweep

(HALIFAX, NS) It was a quick weekend trip to the Bluenose province for the UNB REDS women’s basketball team, as they comfortably knocked off the Dalhousie Tigers twice in less than 24 hours.

Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) lead UNB in scoring in both outings, including 17 points in the first game.

Up by only nine after the first half on Friday, the REDS dispelled any hopes of a Dal comeback with a 24-8 third quarter. Butts had nine in the frame.

Maheva Ngassam (Saint Hubert, QC) anchored UNB’s defensive effort, picking up five steals and a block. UNB went on to win 72-44.

In Saturday’s 76-50 win, REDS veteran McKinley Bezanson (Hantsport, NS) chipped in 11 points and nine rebounds. She was three of three on three-pointers.

UNB rookies Ava-Marie Britton (Calgary, AB), Sashaneil Dabb (Halifax, NS), Rosheen Antonroy (Markham, ON), Axelle Gargya (Quebec City, QC) and Zoe Olscamp (Straford, PE) combined for 22 points off the bench on Saturday.

It was a similar story to the first game, with Dalhousie struggling to make shots and UNB firing on all cylinders.

“We had a lot of people contribute this weekend which led to a couple good team wins on the road,” said REDS’ head coach Erin McAleenan. “Both days we didn’t do a good job rebounding until the second half, but we were able to get a lot of offense from our defense.”
Strong bench contributions were a theme of the weekend. All 12 REDS to see the court scored multiple baskets.

“Both games we did a really good job of hunting great shots which helped us be much more efficient from the floor, and especially improving from behind the arc,” said Coach McAleenan. “I’m really happy with the growth our young team continues to demonstrate and am looking forward to getting back home for a few games.”

Dal is now 2-12. The Tigers can snap their six-game losing streak on Wednesday at home against Acadia.

The REDS, fifth in Atlantic University Sport at 7-7, return home to play Memorial on Friday at 8:00pm and Saturday at 2:00pm in their annual Stewart-McKelvey Think Pink Week games, part of the national Shoot for the Cure effort.

WEEKEND RECAP BY: Peter Jewett/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Nick Pearce/for Dal Athletics