(ST. JOHN'S, NL) The UNB REDS were able to beat the Memorial Sea-Hawks 85-84 in a tight game on Saturday evening, in St. John's.
The game opened with a 4-0 run by Memorial, highlighted by a 3-point shot from Rebecca Ekstrom (Stockholm, SWE), but a lay-up by Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) put UNB on the board.
The Sea-Hawks played strong offensively and defensively for the majority of the quarter, and a jump shot by Malva Gyllenhammar Ekelof (Malmo, SWE) was able to extend their lead to 11 near the end of the quarter. However, UNB started to make a push in the final minutes and the first quarter ended 25-18 for the Sea-Hawks.
An exchange of baskets on each side opened the second quarter.
Nearing the end of the second, the REDS were able to go on a 10-0 run and tie the game at 42.
The score was tied 46-46 at the half.
UNB was able to go on a 9-0 run early in the third quarter, before an Alyssa Jenkins (St. John's, NL) basket ended that and three unanswered lay-ups by Ines Salat-Margarit (Barcelona, SPA) gave Memorial some momentum midway through the quarter.
A three-point shot by Hannah Green (Flatrock, NL) took the lead back for the Sea-Hawks near the end of the quarter, and tight play ensued for the remaining minutes, with a layup by Erin Ingalls (St. George, NB) giving UNB a two point advantage heading into the final frame.
Midway through the fourth, UNB was able to pull ahead by four.
In the final minute of the game, Memorial came within one point of the lead and had the potential to win the game in their final offensive possession, but UNB was able to hold on and win 85-84.
"Road wins are tough to get in this league and we managed to get one, but it was a little on the ugly side," said REDS head coach Jeff Speedy. "I was really unhappy with our defensive effort in the first half and thought we were not finding open teammates. We shared the ball much better in the last 15 minutes and our defensive effort improved enough to allow us to escape with a win."
Veinot scored a game-high 25 for the REDS and was named Subway Player of the Game.
Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) added 14 points and seven rebounds, while both Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB), with 13, and Jennifer Nkuah (Brampton, ON), with 11, scored in double digits for UNB.
"Tonight we struggled with a lot of the small details which didn't allow us to settle into our game and it kept the game close right until the very end," said Veinot. "We're happy to take the win, but we hope to take care of the small things tomorrow so we can play the way we like to."
Gabrielle Roche (St. John's, NL) led the Sea-Hawks in scoring with 20 points, while Ines Salat-Margarit had a solid game with 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Ekstrom put up 16 points for the home team.
The REDS and Sea-Hawks wrap up their weekend series on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30am Atlantic.
RECAP WITH FILES BY: Olivia Ryan/for MUN Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Ally Wragg/for MUN Athletics