(ST. JOHN'S, NL) A late UNB REDS effort was not enough to overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Saturday night. The REDS fell 74-68 to the Sea-Hawks to end a six-game winning streak.
"Full credit to Memorial tonight as they were the better team," said UNB head coach Erin McAleenan. "I thought we really struggled to get any flow at the offensive end and couldn't keep the ball in front of us at the other end. Offensive rebounds and fouls ultimately put us in a difficult position down the stretch."
Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) led the REDS with 19 points, shooting 7-11 from the field while collecting three rebounds and two assists. Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
The game was back and forth the whole way down to the wire. It featured 16 lead changes and was tied eight times.
Turnovers proved costly for the REDS, surrendering 20 points off turnovers to Memorial six.
UNB took an early lead in the game with a 3-pointer from Veinot, but the Sea-Hawks quickly caught up, maintaining a close score throughout the first quarter. A layup from Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) and a go-ahead basket by Ann Bastien (Terrebonne, QC) helped the REDS hold on to a narrow 23-21 lead to end the quarter.
Sea-Hawks guard Brooke LeDevehat hit two quick three-pointers to start the second quarter. But Speedy responded with a three for the REDS to keep the game even. Speedy continued to stay hot hitting two more threes while McKinley Bezanson (Hantsport, NS) provided some support off the bench with five second-quarter points as the REDS would take a 47-44 lead into the half.
The Sea-Hawks started the second half strong. A layup from Alyssa Jenkins and a three from Hannah Green, leveled the score, 49-49. Then Memorial used a 10-2 run, led by Green's seven third-quarter points, allowing them to seize control with a 61-55 lead. The Sea-Hawks held on to a 63-59 advantage as they entered the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, back-to-back threes from LeDevehat fueled an 8-2 run, giving Memorial their largest lead of the night at 71-61. The REDS, led by Veinot, fought back, hitting a three-pointer and two foul shots to narrow the gap to 73-69. A three from Leah Travers (Calgary, AB) brought the REDS within two with under a minute remaining. Despite a missed free throw from LeDevehat, the Sea-Hawks held on to win 79-74.
With the loss, the UNB now drops to 12-2. The REDS will look to rebound at home against the Cape Breton Capers on Sunday, January 28 at UNB's Currie Center.
"We will need to get back to playing our game this week, especially at the defensive end," said McAleenan. "Hopefully we'll get a few players back from injuries as well."
RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/ UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Memorial Athletics