SYDNEY – The Acadia Axewomen (8-3) completed a weekend road sweep in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball action with a thrilling 71-62 win over the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (4-7) on Saturday afternoon at Sullivan Fieldhouse.
On the strength of five points from Amanda Cruickshank (Montreal, QC), the Capers jumped to an early advantage in the first quarter.
The sides traded basket for the lion's share of the opening stanza until late, when the Axewomen fashioned an impressive 9-0 run – one keyed by five consecutive points from veteran wing Samantha Russell (Dartmouth, NS) – to give the visitors a 22-16 edge after the first quarter.
Russell continued her stellar play to start the second quarter with eight consecutive points – including a pair of three-pointers in one stretch – to help extend the Acadia lead to a game-high 34-18.
The Capers answered with a mini five-point spurt, which included a shot from beyond the arc from Cruickshank, to slice the deficit to 34-23.
After a traditional three-point play from Darah Fleurgin (Montreal, QC) – the hoop-and-harm – CBU pulled within eight points – at 38-30.
Acadia restored its double-digit edge later in the second quarter on a three-pointer from Lisa Bolander (Uppsala, Sweden), but CBU answered. Using their strength on the offensive glass and finishing at the free-throw line, the Capers kept the deficit in single digits heading to the locker room.
The Axewomen led 43-34 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the visitors came out strongly, taking a 57-41 lead on a three-pointer from Elizabeth Iseyemi (Dartmouth, NS).
When the Capers tried to whittle away at the deficit, the Axewomen provided an answer, including an acrobatic lay-up from Bianca Helmig (Speyer, Germany) that made it 63-45 for the visitors.
Acadia led 63-47 after three quarters.
Early in the fourth quarter – buoyed by five consecutive points from Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands), along with a steal – the Capers sliced the Axewomen lead to 65-63.
After a van la Parra free throw, CBU pulled within single digits – at 69-60.
The Capers would get no closer, as the Axewomen sealed the deal from the charity stripe.
Russell led Acadia with a game-high 25 points, while fashioning a double-double with 10 rebounds and adding five assists.
Iseyemi also scored a double-double – 19 points and 12 rebounds – while chipping in two assists.
Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) led the Capers with a double-double – 19 points and 12 rebounds – while van la Parra (11), Cruickshank (10) and Hailey MacLeod (10) also hit double-digits in scoring.
Fleurgin finished with six points and 10 rebounds.
The teams will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 13, with the Capers travelling to Charlottetown to face the UPEI Panthers, while the Axewomen will host the STFX X-Women in Wolfville.
Tip-off for both match-ups is 6 p.m.