Game recap by: Kirk Jessome
(Halifax, NS) – In game two of a back to back set, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted the Memorial Sea-Hawks in Saturday afternoon action. In a very physical contest, a strong defensive second quarter pushed the Sea-Hawks in front and they were able to hang on to claim the 76-65 win.
It was a fast paced offensive game right out of the gate with the teams trading baskets throughout the entire first quarter.
Sophie Gaube (Hubley, NS) got her shooting touch going in the first quarter for the Tigers, putting up seven points, including a shot from deep. The Sea-Hawks spread their scoring early, but Sammi Deakin-Sharpe (Brisbane, AUS) picked up timely scoring for her team.
Through one quarter neither team could gain much of an edge on their opponent, but Memorial led 21-20 heading into the second.
Turnovers started to hurt the Tigers in the second quarter and the Sea-Hawks capitalized on the extra possessions.
Haille Nickerson (Grimsby, ON) nearly singlehandedly outscored the Tigers in the quarter, picking up 10 points in a big run for the Sea-Hawks. The scoring from Nickerson, combined with the timely shooting of Lindsay Taylor (Waterloo, ON) from beyond the arc and playing shutdown defence in the later minutes of the half pushed the Sea-Hawks in front.
Gaube continued to pick up important points, but the Tigers were unable to find the basket in the final five minutes of the quarter and as a result went into the break trailing 39-31.
Nickerson and Taylor turned it into a two-person game for the Sea-Hawks in the third quarter. They turned to a strong transition game that resulted in two-on-one opportunities that ended in points.
The transition chances, combined with hot three-point shooting from Taylor, the Sea-Hawks stretched their lead to 15 midway through the third.
The Tigers were able to finish the quarter strong and respond with a run of their own. The defence tightened up, as did the rebounding, and it generated fast-break opportunities for the Tigers going the other way.
It was a physical quarter on both ends of the floor, but the Robertha Charles (Montreal, QC) and Sophie Gaube took advantage by finishing through contact and getting to the line.
The Tigers run at the end of the quarter brought them within six, but the Sea-Hawks still held the advantage at 58-52.
Brooklyn Wright (Cambridge, ON) stepped up for the Sea-Hawks early in the fourth, with floor spacing creating room for her to get to the hoop, as well as knock down open jumpers.
On the other end, Michele Tchiakoua (Yaounde, Cameroon) picked up the first five points of the quarter for the Tigers, including the old school three-point play on a tough finish.
Late in the game both teams were having trouble finding the bottom of the net, and the scoring slowed down because of it.
The Sea-Hawks were made their opportunities from the line count in the dying minutes, and secured their lead, and as time ran out they took the win with a 76-65 final score.
Sophie Gaube finished with 15 points to lead the Tigers in scoring, while Haille Nickerson finished with a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds to earn the Subway Player of the Game title.
The Tigers are back on the court on Friday when they take on UPEI, while face Acadia in back to back games at home starting on the 27th.