by Brett McGuire

The Dalhousie Tigers dropped their first game of 2016 by a score of 65-56 to the Saint Mary's Huskies at the Dalplex. At one point in the game, the Tigers led by as much as 10 points, but were unable to hang on for the win.

Dalhousie got off to a fast start in the first quarter. The Tigers began the game with a 7-0 run and led 16-10 by the end of the frame. Tessa Stammberger scored 7 of the first 16 points including a key three point shot to help keep the Tigers ahead late in the first.

Stammberger kept up her strong play into the second quarter, earning a hard fought jump ball and scoring 5 quick points for the Tigers to increase their lead. Diedre Alexander added 4 points of her own to help the Tigers cause. The Huskies were bolstered by the shooting of Alexandra Smye who hit two shots from beyond the arc to keep Saint Mary's close. Dalhousie's strong defensive play helped them open up a 10-point lead at the half, making the score 31-21 for the Tigers.

The Huskies came roaring back to start the second half. Rachelle Coward carried the Huskies, scoring eight points to lead them on a 13-3 run to tie the game at 34 points a side. The teams traded baskets all quarter. Dalhousie started to pull away with back-to-back layups from Shannon Forbes and Christina Brown, but a steal by Angelina Carvey led to an easy Huskies basket to end the quarter to make the score 43-42 for the Tigers.

The two rival teams traded baskets once again to start the fourth quarter. The Huskies were able to take their first lead of the game on a Rachelle Coward free throw to make the score 48-47 for Saint Mary's. The Huskies would not look back as Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse would score on a string of consecutive layups to increase the Huskies lead to 57-49.

Shalyn Field hit a long two pointer and Tessa Stammberger made a shot from in tight to decrease the Huskies lead to six points. However a deep two pointer from Rachelle Coward late in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach for the Tigers as the Huskies cruised to a 65-56 final, scoring 23 points in the final frame.

Coward led the Huskies with 18 points and Stammberger led the Tigers with 22 points

The Tigers are back in action Friday, January 8 vs StFX at the Dalplex, while the Huskies head to PEI to face the UPEI Panthers Saturday, January 9. Tipoff is at 6pm for both games.