(HALIFAX, NS) In the first game of a back to back set, the Dalhousie Tigers survived a late run by the UNB Reds, holding on for a 76-72 win.
The Tigers started the game with a strong inside-out style of play, first working the ball inside to Robertha Charles (Montreal, QC) and Lia Kentzler (Gottingen, GER) to work in the paint and open up space on the outside for Chelsea Slawter-Wright (Dartmouth, NS) to knock down threes.
The Reds were struggling from the field in the early minutes, but continued to push the ball inside and earn their points from the line.
Just as the Reds were starting to work their way back from the early Tigers run, Karina May (Moncton, NB) and Emily Holt (Halifax, NS) each knocked down a shot from deep to extend the Dal lead to 25-14 going into the second quarter.
Shooting from both teams was cold to start the second quarter, but the Reds were able to capitalize on steals by pushing the ball in transition to continue earning trips to the free-throw line with Mikaela Dodig (Bolton, ON) doing most of the work.
The Tigers were once again able to make a run to close out the quarter, with three-point shooting making the difference.
With Sophie Gaube (Hubley, NS) dropping in another layup in transition, the Tigers lead grew to 44-29 at the half.
The Reds came out with new energy in the third quarter, with their pressure defence trapping the Tigers in their own end of the court.
The lead was brought down as low as nine at the start of the quarter, but the Tigers once again recovered for a late run and a big three-point play helped push the lead back to 18 in the final minutes of the third.
The Reds continued to apply their pressure defence to start the fourth quarter and once again gave the Tigers trouble in getting out of their own half. Capitalizing on a steal, Dodig was finally able to knock down the first three of the game for the Reds.
The lead appeared to be out of reach, but the Reds refused to go away late in the game with Grace Simpson (Fredericton, NB) taking over the offense for UNB. With two minutes to go, Simpson made a strong move to get to the rim and finish through contact to start the run.
With less than a minute to go, Jane Boyle (Halifax, NS) stepped up and knocked down a three, as well as getting to the line for a three-point play in back to back possessions, bringing the Reds within three.
The Tigers were able to hold on for the 76-72 win.
Dodig led the scoring for the Reds in the loss, finishing with a game-high 24 points, while Charles finished with 16 points for the Tigers.
Both teams will be back on the court on Saturday, in the second game of their weekend series.
RECAP BY: Kirk Jessome/for Dal Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Carter Hutton/HFX Collective