REDS Come Up Short In Opener

(SYDNEY, NS) The Cape Breton University Capers beat the UNB REDS 69-60 in the Atlantic University Sport women's basketball regular season opener for both teams, Friday at CBU's Sullivan Fieldhouse.

In a turnover-filled first quarter, one that featured anemic shooting from the field for both sides, the Capers jumped out to an 11-2 advantage. 

The REDS replied with an 8-0 burst to wrap up the opening 10 minutes and trailed 11-10.

After the teams were knotted 13-13 early in the second quarter, the CAPERS went on a 24-9 run, keyed by three-pointers from Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands), Tanila Marshall (Chicago, IL) and Hannah Smith (Bedford, NS), along with the interior play of Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) to balloon their lead to 37-22.

The home team led 43-24 heading to the half.

The REDS, led by veteran Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) with six points and nine rebounds, were strong on the glass, finishing the first half with nine on the offensive end.

In the second half, Butts came out firing and the REDS, who were also sparked by Ann Bastien (Terrebonne, QC), tried to carve into the deficit but they could not shrink it to double digits. And, after a timely basket from the beyond the arc from Smith, the Capers led 50-34.

CBU took a 54-41 advantage to the fourth quarter.

In the final stanza, Butts and Maheva Ngassam (Saint Hubert, QC) were forces on the glass and taking it to the hoop for the REDS, but the CBU edge hovered at nine points or double figures, as the teams traded points.

On the strength of seven consecutive points by Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS), CBU led 62-51.

But, the REDS answered. After an old-fashioned three-point play from Butts and a drive to the hoop by Bastien, they pulled within five points at 65-60.

On the next possession, with a hand in her face, Smith drained a three-pointer to give the home side some breathing room.

van la Parra led the Capers with 22 points, while Letlow finished with a double-double, 16 points and 10 rebounds. 

Butts had a double-double of her own, scoring a game-high 24 points and adding 14 rebounds, also a game-high. Ngassam finished with a double-double as well, 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Bastien hit double figures with 10 points.

The Capers and REDS will return to action Saturday. Game time is 1:00pm.

RECAP BY: Corey LeBlanc/for CBU Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Vaughan Merchant/for CBU Athletics