(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds scored an 88-66 home court victory over the Memorial Sea-Hawks, Saturday night.
Hannah Currie(Collingwood, ON) played a hot second half hand, leading the Varsity Reds with 17 points and 5 rebounds.
Laura Kaye(Fredericton, NB) added 15 points and Eva Tumwine(Fredericton, NB) came off the bench to score 10.
Sydney Stewart(Sarnia, ON) led the Sea-Hawks with 17 points and 4 rebounds, while Sydney Ezekiel(St. John's, NL) scored 10.
The Varsity Reds raced out to a 6-0 lead, and were up 23-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Sea-Hawks played more disciplined ball in the second quarter, but still trailed 43-32 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter the Varsity Reds had extended their lead to 19 points.
As the third quarter expired, Nicole LaFleur(Fredericton, NB) hit a three pointer that gave UNB a 70-53 lead.
With just over six minutes to play, the Varsity Reds pushed their lead to 20, going up 76-56.
UNB was too much down the stretch, winning by 22 to improve to 8-and-2. That's good for third place in the Atlantic University Sport standings.
Memorial's record falls to 5-and-6.
All 12 Varsity Reds scored in the win.
That depth is something Varsity Reds head coach Jeff Speedy is proud of.
"I think we're the deepest team in the league," said Speedy. "You could argue that other teams have a great starting five or the MVP of the league on their team, but I really like our depth."
While she came close to a career night, Currie admits she didn't sense it.
"I think, collectively as a team, our offence was rolling a bit better at some times than others, so it felt natural, it didn't feel like I was having a big night."
"She's one of our leaders," said Speedy, of the fourth year forward. "She's one of our best players, she could easily be an AUS All-Star, so I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect her to be near a double-double every night."
The loss snapped the Sea-Hawks' three game winning streak, which included back-to-back wins over Saint Mary's.
"I don't think we came out as prepared as we could've been," said Ezekiel.
The fourth year guard feels the poor start hounded them the rest of the night.
"Mentally, we just weren't there at the start and it carried through the game. I think we had moments where we tried to come back, but then we'd lose our way again."
"This league is very unpredictable at times," said Currie. "Memorial just came off two wins against Saint Mary's and having us beat them is definitely encouraging for us, as we lost to SMU in November."
The Sea-Hawks don't have to wait long for a shot at redemption.
The same two teams tangle again Sunday afternoon, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00PM Atlantic.