Huskies defeat Capers 90-76 in AUS women’s basketball action

Sydney, NS – Led by a stellar performance from Lucina Beaumont (Fredericton, NB), the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies (6-1) scored a 90-76 victory over the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (3-4) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball action on Friday evening at Sullivan Fieldhouse.

In a low-scoring first quarter, the Huskies jumped to a razor-thin 8-7 edge after two minutes, keyed by the three-point shooting of Beaumont and Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, NS), who nailed jumpers from downtown, while the Capers excelled on the interior – led by the dynamic duo of Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) and Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS).

After five consecutive points from Letlow, including an and-1 three-point play, sandwiched a basket from beyond the arc from Marlo Steenbakkers (Ottawa, ON), the Huskies led 16-15.

The visitors led 19-18 after the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, after a pair of free-throws from Beaumont, the Huskies took their largest lead of the game – at 29-24.

After six consecutive points from CBU's MacLeod, including a drive to the basket and a pull-up jumper, Saint Mary's maintained a slight edge but – after fifth-year guard MacKenzee Ryan (Glace Bay, NS) split a pair of defenders before making an acrobatic lay-up – the sides were knotted 32-32.

In the final 90 seconds, the teams traded three-pointers; Sophia Widmeyer (Dartmouth, NS) and Beaumont for the Huskies, with an answer from Leandra Hersey (Quispamsis, NB) sprinkled in between as part of a back-and-forth stretch until halftime.

After Letlow finished a nifty pass play with a bank shot in the paint, the teams – once again – were tied (40-40).

With less than 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Aki Kobayashi (Halifax, NS) drove through the Caper 'D' for a lay-up.

The Huskies led 42-40 heading to the locker room.

In the first half, Saint Mary's drained six three-pointers, while CBU shot 50 percent (15-for-30) from the field.

The opening four minutes of the third quarter were highlighted by a faster pace, but little scoring; both teams battling to make a hoop.

After sophomore guard Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands) finished a fast-break for the Capers with a left-handed lay-in, Beaumont answered with another three-pointer.

On the strength of a drive and basket from Alaina McMillan (Brantford, ON), who absorbed contact from a pair of CBU defenders, and a three-pointer from Kobayashi, Saint Mary's were up 57-48.

Ryan of the Capers stopped the 8-2 spurt from the Huskies with a well-earned lay-up.

After knocking on that door on a couple of occasions, Saint Mary's took its first double-digit edge of the contest – at 67-57 – on foul shots from Katelyn Power (Bayside, NS).

It was the Kobayashi show in the third quarter, as she netted nine points for the Huskies, who outscored the Capers 27-17 in the frame and took a 69-57 advantage to the fourth quarter.

In the opening minutes of that final stanza, the Saint Mary's edge ballooned to 80-60, after consecutive hoops from Beaumont.

With Ryan trying to rally her team – and ignite the home crowd – she meshed a drive to trim the deficit to 80-64.

But, on the next possession, Beaumont answered with a hoop in traffic, while completing the old-fashioned three-point play with a free throw.

Despite back-to-back three-pointers from Hersey and Ryan, the Capers could not get the Huskies' lead – now 87-71 – within striking distance.

CBU could get no closer than 16 points down the home stretch, as the visitors secured the victory.

Beaumont – the Subway player of the game – scored a game-high 29 points, while adding nine rebounds and two assists.

McMillan added 17 points, while Widmeyer chipped in 13, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Kobayashi – off the bench – also reach double figures (11) for the Huskies.

For the Capers, Letlow fashioned another monster double-double – 20 points and a game-best 16 rebounds, while MacLeod (18) and Ryan (12), who collected nine assists and five rebounds, also landed double digits in scoring.  Off the bench, Hersey scored 10 points, including three three-pointers, in 19 minutes of floor time.

The Huskies will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 23, when they host the Acadia Axewomen in Halifax.

The Capers will return to the hardwood on Friday, Nov. 25, when they welcome the UNB Reds to Sullivan Fieldhouse.

Tip-off for both match-ups is 6 p.m.

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