(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds closed out their regular season on a high note, defeating the Acadia Axewomen 62-53 on Saturday.
"We have to be that scrappy, that poised and play that physical all the time," said Reds head coach Jeff Speedy. "We will be in every game if we play that physical and that intense all the time and, hopefully, I see more of it next weekend."
Both squads had their share of momentum in the game, with the Reds gaining the slight edge at the end.
"Everybody contributed and everybody hit shots and we just played really, really hard the whole game which was awesome to see," said Reds veteran wing Jane Boyle (Halifax, NS), playing her final game at the Richard J. Currie Center. "We proved that we can compete with everyone in our league tonight."
The Axewomen led 12-10 after an even first quarter.
The Reds started the second on a 12-0 run and took a 24-19 lead into halftime.
Acadia would battle back with an 11-1 run in the third quarter to cut UNB's lead to two, 42-40, heading into the fourth.
The Reds went up by seven to start the final quarter.
The Axewomen responded late and kept on UNB's heels until time ran out, but some key shots made by Mikaela Dodig (Bolton, ON) gave the Reds a final push to close out the win.
Dodig finished with a game-high 27 points and five rebounds.
"There is a reason why I say she is the best point guard in the league," said Speedy. "Mikaela is fantastic and she did all that playing a ton of minutes yesterday and a ton of minutes today."
Leading the scoring for the Huskies was Hayley McDonald (Port Williams, NS), with 20 points and two rebounds.
The Reds will graduate two players, Boyle and Megan Campbell (Moncton, NB), from this year's roster.
"They mean so much to the team, we are going to miss them for sure next year," said Dodig. "Jane and Megan are both big leaders on our team and both really hard workers."
Boyle, who scored 13 point and grabbed five rebounds, was named Subway Player of the Game.
The Reds end the season in fourth place with an 12-8 record.
The Axewomen finish in third place with a record of 13-7.
Both teams will play quarter-final games in next weekend's Subway Atlantic University Sport Championships.
RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics