REDS Win, Baxendale Joins 1000 Point Club
(ANTIGONISH, NS) A strong fourth quarter powered the UNB REDS to an 84-62 win over the STFX X-Women on Saturday afternoon. It was the second win of the weekend for the REDS, who dropped the X-Women 66-53 on Friday night.
"What a great start to the season, to be able to get two wins on the road," said REDS head coach Erin McAleenan. "We had a variety of players step up when we needed them which was a big reason we were able to close out both games."
The teams traded scores early, but the REDS pulled out to a five-point lead with about four minutes left in the quarter. The X-Women kept their composure and drew even late in the quarter, which ended with the teams tied 18-18.
Shannon Neita (Toronto, ON) had nine of the X-Women's first quarter points, while Reese Baxendale (Sussex, NB) had seven for UNB. The X-Women defence came out to play early, causing six turnovers in the quarter, while allowing only two.
Speaking of defence, neither team was able to light up the scoreboard for the first two minutes of the second quarter. A Jolianne Guay (Prevost, QC) three-pointed gave the REDS a four-point lead about midway through the quarter, and they lead by as much as nine. A 5-0 run by the X-Women cut the lead to four points with about two minutes left, and the teams traded buckets until the end of the half, with UNB leading 36-31.
Ekaterina Karchevskaya (Mogilev, Belarus) had a strong first half for the X-Women, with 13 points including making all five of her free throws. Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) had 11 points in the first half for the Reds, including three three-pointers.
During the half, Baxendale scored the 1000th point of her Atlantic University Sport career. She scored the first 984 points of her career with UPEI Panthers.
"I'm proud of this accomplishment," said Baxendale. "It's a big milestone, but one that I could not have reached without all my amazing teammates along the way. I'm glad to be back in the AUS, excited to be a RED, and am really looking forward to the rest of the season."
"What an amazing accomplishment for Reese to have joined the 1000 point club," said Coach McAleenan. "She is a tremendous competitor and this recognition as one of the top U SPORTS women's basketball players is well deserved."
The X-Women scored the first three points of the third quarter, but UNB followed up with an eight-point run. STFX had a quick run of their own late in the quarter, with Kristine Cooper (Hamilton, ON) hitting a three-pointer, then stealing the ball back and picking up another two points. That sparked the STFX offence, which outscored the REDS 22-20 in the quarter, ending with UNB leading by three points, 56-53.
The REDS pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the X-Women, 28-8 in the final 10 minutes and sealing the victory.
Speedy finished the game with 20 points, two rebounds, and an assist for UNB, while Player of the Game Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) had 18 points, seven boards, and three assists.
Neita lead the way for the X-Women, with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Karchevskaya finished with 16 points, two rebounds and an assist.
The X-Women are on the road next weekend for a pair of road games against the UPEI Panthers, while the REDS also hit the court next weekend, hosting Memorial.
RECAP BY: Matt Draper/for STFX Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Bryan Kennedy/for STFX Athletics