REDS Edged In Weekend Opener

(FREDERICTON, NB) Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, NS) put up a game-high 19 points, including the game-winning three-pointer, as the Saint Mary's Huskies edged the UNB REDS 50-46 on Friday night.

Gascoigne was named Subway Player of the Game.

"We started off a little bit slow, but I think we really came together," said Gascoigne. "Our defense was a bit sloppy at the beginning, but I think we really closed it out strong and worked hard." 

Marlo Steenbakkers (Ottawa, ON) and Alaina McMillan (Brantford, ON) each added seven points in the win for the Huskies, while Lucy Beaumont (Fredericton, NB) led the team with 11 rebounds.

Katie McAffee (Lower Knoxford, NB) and Kylie Speedy (Fredericton, NB) led the REDS with 11 points each, while Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) had a game-high 18 rebounds.

"We made too many turnovers, that was the game," said Butts.

The REDS would come out hot, with great defensive rebounding and clean inside defense for a 15-10 lead after the first quarter.

The Huskies went on a 16-2 run from the end of first quarter through the first 10 minutes of the second to grab a 21-17 lead.

UNB would push back in the final minutes of the quarter to pull even with SMU, 25-25 at the half.

The Huskies would have another strong start in the third, opening with six straight points to take a 31-25 lead, a spread they would hold until another late surge by the REDS, who finished the quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 37-36 edge into the fourth.

Marley Curwin (Halifax, NS) would hit a three-pointer to give the REDS a 42-38 lead with just over six minutes left. 

However, it was the Huskies that had the stronger final minutes, as Gascoigne would put SMU ahead with 2:04 left.

The Huskies defense would smother the REDS and kill the clock for a 50-46 final score.

"They are a very good defensive team, a very physical team and in those last few possessions we couldn't figure out a way to run the things we wanted to do," said REDS head coach Jeff Speedy.

"I think we could have been stronger and executed better, but credit to how well they guarded in the fourth quarter as well."

The REDS drop below .500 with the loss putting their record at 6-7 and snapping their 3-game winning streak.

The win improves the Huskies to 11-4, extending their winning streak to an Atlantic University Sport best fourth game.

Both teams meet again Saturday, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center, to conclude the regular season. Game time is 6:00pm.

RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics