(HALIFAX, N.S.) - For the sixth season in a row, the Acadia Axewomen will play in a championship final.
Acadia (1st seed) will look to defend its title after a 77-69 win over the UNB REDS (4th seed) in the first semifinal of the 2023 Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship.
Acadia's AUS most valuable player Haley McDonald (Port Williams, N.S.) picked up where she left off, leading the team with 21 points and nine defensive rebounds en route to being named the Subway player of the game.
The REDS got off to a hot start, with two brackets from beyond the arc while also limiting quality shots from Acadia. For the Axewomen, Sarah Delorey (Elmsdale, N.S.) made the first three baskets to keep the score tight.
First team all-star Jayda Venoit (Port Williams, N.S.) played a key part in giving UNB a 20-18 lead after the first quarter, with four rebounds and 10 points, including making all three of her free throws.
Sandy Saunders (Woodstock, N.B.) brought the Acadia bench to its feet after sinking a three from right in front of her teammates. While neither team was going on extended point runs, the Axewomen were gradually building a lead throughout the second quarter thanks to success on foul shots.
REDS forward Jennfier Nkuah (Brampton, Ont.) showed determination with a basket on a contested shot, although her team were unable to take advantage of a steal on the next play.
Acadia finished the first half 21 for 22 (95.5%) on free throws, including six straight to close out the first half with an unanswered run of points. Acadia Axewomen's all-time scoring leader Haley McDonald led the team with 14 points in the half and was eight for nine on free throws.
On the UNB side, Venoit finished the first half with 15 points, eight rebounds and was perfect from the foul line, going five-for-five.
Katie Butts (Ottawa, Ont.) was instrumental in a strong start to the half for the REDS, with a defensive rebound, block and basket in the first two minutes of the third quarter.
Acadia was able to hold back the REDS and extend its lead, with a determined effort from second team all-star Lizzie Iseyemi (Dartmouth, N.S.) in the paint in a quarter where the Axewomen were able to draw fouls while defending their own basket. Acadia narrowly outscored UNB 15-13 to take a 64-52 lead into the final quarter.
A pair of three pointers from Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, N.B) for the REDS was crucial in narrowing the lead to just four points with 4:19 to go in the game and prompting a timeout call from the Axewomen.
The Axewomen once again gained a more comfortable lead after a 7-0 run, including a pair of steals and assists from Sami Russell (Dartmouth, N.S.). The defending champions were able to take control of the final minutes to close out the win.
Acadia plays the winner of Saint Mary's (2nd seed) versus UPEI (3rd seed) in the final on Sunday, February 26 at 1 p.m. Watch every semifinal and final game of the 2023 Subway AUS Basketball Championships on AUStv.ca.
Source: Jonathan Briggins for Atlantic University Sport