(FREDERICTON, NB) A second half rally would not be enough for the UNB Reds as they fell short, 54-53 to the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Saturday night.
Haille Nickerson (Grimsby, ON) had 23 points, five rebounds and recorded her 1000th AUS regular season point to earn Subway Player of the Game honours.
"We weren't making our shots tonight, but our defense really helped us win this game. It was a good team win," said Nickerson.
The Reds drop to 8-and-10 with the loss.
The Sea-Hawks improve to 13-and-4 with the win, and stay in the hunt for a first-round Atlatnic University Sport playoff bye.
"I think we're ready for playoffs and we are going to try to get that championship," said Nickerson.
Memorial had the jump to start the game, leading 18-12 after the first quarter.
The Reds would play a closer second quarter, but would still fall further behind, trailing the Sea-Hawks 32-23 at half-time.
UNB would close the gap significantly in the third, outscoring Memorial 13-6 to cut the Sea-Hawks lead to just 38-36 heading into the fourth.
"We rebounded the ball way better, and defensively we made them shoot harder shots. I thought they got pretty easy shots in this first half," said Reds head coach Jeff Speedy.
The Reds would build off that surge, going up 42-40 early in the final quarter.
The two teams would wrestle for the lead until the dying seconds, when the Sea-Hawks drew an offensive foul that led to the game-winning basket on the following play.
"We're not trying to have our heads low thinking about this loss, we think about tomorrow and two weekends from now," said Reds forward Eva Tumwine (Fredericton, NB).
Tumwine led the Reds with 15 points and six rebounds, while Mikaela Dodig (Bolton,ON) followed with 11 points and five rebounds.
These two teams will meet again Sunday, at 11:00am.
RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Alex Dascalu/for UNB Athletics