(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS scored an 88-53 win over the visiting Memorial Sea-Hawks Friday night at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center, extending their season-opening win streak to three games.
The game was the opener of a two-game Atlantic University Sport weekend series between the teams.
Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) led the REDS with 27 points and was named the Tim Hortons Player of the Game.
"We're really excited about our performance tonight," said Veinot. "We had a lot of really close games with MUN last year, and they have a lot of returning players. So, to have a big win at the start of the year is always really exciting."
The REDS got off to an early start, building an 8-0 lead in less than three minutes.
Mark English, Memorial's head coach, called an early timeout following a Veinot ayup 3:27 into the first quarter.
Memorial's Brooke Ledevehat (Mount Pearl, NL) gave her team some life, draining a three-point shot to close out the first quarter, but UNB led 22-8 after ten minutes.
The REDS maintained their strength in the second.
Jolianne Guay (Prevost, QC) opened the scoring with a gritty jumper to start UNB on a 6-0 run. At the same time, the REDS defence held the Hawks off the score sheet for almost three full minutes.
"We've struggled to play at our best for 40 minutes," added Veinot. "So, we are striving towards getting closer and closer to a full 40-minute game. I think we put in some steps in the right direction today, and hopefully even more tomorrow."
Memorial's Eavan McLaughlin (Fredericton, NB) gave her team their first points of the second quarter, sinking a three-pointer, but the Sea-Hawks were down 41-18 at the half.
Hannah Green (Flatrock, NL) lit a bit of a spark for Memorial registering an assist, a three-pointer, and a layup within minutes of each other. Teammate, Rebecka Ekstrom (Stockholm, SWE) added to the effort, making a jump-shot and draining a three-pointer to narrow the REDS lead 51-31 midway through the third quarter.
Although Memorial's strong start to the second half took the REDS by surprise, they were able to hold on to their lead and closed out the quarter up 60-36.
In the end, the REDS won 88-53.
On top of Veinot's big night, Reese Baxendale (Sussex, NB) and Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) each had 12. Butts added a game-high 16 rebounds for the double-double.
"After three-straight wins to start the season, our team is feeling pretty good," said Veinot. "Every win is hard to get in this league. It's a really close league this year, so we're definitely excited about that."
Green led Memorial with 12 points, including three three-pointers, and eight rebounds.
The REDS and Sea-Hawks conclude their weekend series on Saturday. Tip-off is at 6:00pm.
RECAP BY: Madison Tucker/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics