WOLFVILLE, N.S. - It was an exciting match up Thursday night against the defending AUS champion Saint Mary's Huskies visited the Acadia Axewomen in the AUS regular season opener.

The Axewomen started strong with last-year's AUS Women's Basketball Player of the Year, Paloma Anderson (Phoenix, Arizona) showed no signs of slowing down, netting 30 game points by games end. 

Contributions by forward Emily MacLeod (Fredericton, N.B.) with eight rebounds and 13 points, and Chanel Smith (Halifax, N.S.) with five rebounds, three assists, and 13 points helped Acadia maintain a narrow 57-52 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Huskies trailed behind Acadia for most of the game, but in the fourth period, Saint Mary's stepped it up, and took a 78-77 lead with one minute left in the game.

Senior Saint Mary's players Angelina Carvery (Halifax, N.S.) and player of the game Jenny Lewis (Fall River, NS) led with 29 and 36 total points each respectively.

After an intense last few minutes of play, first-year Acadia stand-out and Subway Player of the Game, Haley McDonald (Port Williams, N.S.) made a three-point throw that tied the game 81-81 with just over a second remaining in the game, putting it into overtime.

Angelina Carvery dominated the opening minute of overtime play with two long baskets from the distant arc and a jumper to give the Huskies a quick 89-81 lead that would eventually lead the 99-92 overtime win.

The game was a four-point loss for the Axewomen since both teams will only meet twice this season. Acadia visits Saint Mary's on Saturday night for the second and final match of the regular season.

Provided by Laura Jeha, Acadia Athletics Communications Office