(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The last-place Acadia Axewomen shocked the first-place Dalhousie Tigers Tuesday night, defeating them 75-72 in a crucial four-point game.
This was the Axewomen's third win in their last four games, while the Tigers have now won four of their last six games.
The Tigers lost despite an impressive performance from star guard Courtney Thompson, who put up a career-high 37 points on 17-of-30 shooting. Fourteen of her points came in the fourth quarter in a comeback effort from the Tigers which would ultimately come up just short.
Tessa Stammberger added 16 points and seven rebounds.
Paloma Anderson had a team-high 22 points and she grabbed nine boards in the win for Acadia, while Allie Berry posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Chanel Smith had 19 points of her own on 6-of-11 shooting.
Tied at 12 with just under five minutes to go in the first quarter, the Axewomen rattled off a 6-0 run to gain a six point advantage after 10 minutes of play.
Tessa Stammberger's free throws evened the game up at 20 three minutes into the second quarter, but the Axewomen had another late run to end the first half and Katie Ross' three and Paloma Anderson's layup in the last 20 seconds of the quarter gave the Axemen a 41-33 lead going into halftime.
Chanel Smith's three midway through the third quarter gave Acadia a double-digit 52-40 lead as the Tigers struggles offensively began to mount. The Axewomen kept up their strong play and they held a 61-53 going into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers put on the pressure in the fourth quarter as they fought desperately to get back into the game. Courtney Thompson scored 14 of the Tigers' 19 points in the quarter, and Tessa Stammberger sank a three with 14 seconds left to make it a one-point game. The Tigers fouled Paloma Anderson to bring her to the line, and she made her second free throw to make it a two-point game.
The Tigers took the ball up the court, but Aprille Deus stole the ball off Kristy Moore. The Tigers fouled Deus and she hit one of her free throws to make it a three-point game. Moore had a chance to tie it with a long bomb, but she couldn't hit the dagger against her former team as the Axewomen walked away with a 75-72 win.
The Tigers will look to get back to their winning ways when they travel to Sydney to take on the Cape Breton Capers this weekend in a two-game set. Their first game will get underway Saturday night at 6 p.m.
The Axewomen will head to Charlottetown on Friday night to take on the UPEI Panthers in a crucial four-point game. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.
Source: Duncan Forbes for Dalhousie Sports Communications