The Reds topped the visiting Cape Breton University Capers 70-65.
"We really challenged (our team) hard at halftime," said V-Reds head coach Jeff Speedy, who's in his sixth season as bench boss. "In any game we've had a good start, we've laid an egg in the third. I thought we had a good start tonight and we really came out gangbusters in the third quarter. It's the first time we've played a good first half and had a good start to the second half."
A tight first half saw UNB take a 37-34 lead going into the third quarter.
That's when the V-Reds offence came to life, notching 11 straight points, and outscoring the Capers 25-14.
Claire Colborne carried the UNB offence, scoring 34 points while chipping in eight rebounds and three assists. Jordanne Holstein chipped in with 13 points and Megan Corby scored seven. Melissa Foster grabbed nine rebounds, one more than Emma Russell and Colborne.
Stephanie Toxopeus was CBU's leading scoring with 17 points. Cassie Cooke and Hope Edwards added 11 and 10, respectively, while former UNB player Jessica Steed scored six. Vicki Thistle hauled down 11 boards.
The Reds had a 62-48 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Capers stormed back late and were within three points in the final minute and half.
Cape Breton head coach Fabian McKenzie wasn't impressed with his team's showing.
"We didn't play very well," he said. "I don't think we played well at all the whole game. I wasn't happy with our performance. We decided to play hard in the fourth, and we got rewarded for it, but it wasn't enough."
Colborne stole the show. going 3-for-3 on three-point attempts while overcoming double and sometimes triple-team defensive efforts to make key shots and passes for the V-Reds.
She was 13-for-27 from the field.
"Everyone is going to see her points and say what a great game she had," Speedy said, "but she probably had four key assists at key times when she was double teamed. If she's making those passes and her teammates are making those shots, she becomes infinitely invaluable to us."
The win gives the Reds their first of the regular season. Speedy said the success came from a complete-game effort.
"I just think it was playing hard for the whole game. We haven't done that too many times. No matter where you are in the standings, if we play hard the whole game, we have the chance to win."
The two teams meet again today at 1 p.m. at the Currie centre, followed by the men's game at 3 p.m.
Last night, the Cape Breton men downed UNB 76-71 after leading 38-37 at the intermission.
Four players did most of the damage for the Capers. Arild Geuejes tossed in 19 points, Jimmy Dorsey 18, Julian Smith 13 and Al Aliovic 12 - to go with 11 rebounds.
Daniel Quirion knocked down 18 points for the V-Reds while Alex DesRoches contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds. Michael Fosu scored a dozen more.