HALIFAX, N.S. – The third-seeded Cape Breton Capers defeated the second-seeded Acadia Axewomen by a score of 59-57 thanks to a late basket by fourth-year forward Colleen Keane, in a thrilling semi-final matchup Saturday afternoon at the Scotiabank Centre.
The Capers took advantage of their solid team defence, forcing the Axewomen into eight first-quarter turnovers, five of which were committed by conference MVP Paloma Anderson.
Alexandra Berry was able to keep Acadia close early on, scoring eight first-quarter points on 4-5 shooting and collecting four rebounds.
The second quarter was similar, with neither team really able to establish any rhythm on offence, shooting a combined 7-37 (18.9 per cent) from the field.
The Capers continued to keep Anderson in check, forcing her to take tightly contested shots, as she finished the first half with just eight points on 3-11 shooting and only two trips to the foul line.
At the end of the first half the Axewomen were able to close the gap to two points with a score of 25-23 for the Capers.
The second half continued to be a tightly contested matchup as both teams traded scoring chances early in the third.
Acadia was able to pick up their shooting in the third quarter, shooting 7-15, led by Berry's six points and Anderson's four.
The Axewomen outscored the Capers 16-14 in the third to tie the game up at 39 heading into the final frame.
Colleen Keane, battled hard down low, grabbing two big offensive rebounds late in the fourth, leading to a three-point play the old-fashioned way and giving the Capers a 52-47 lead with 2:22 to play in the fourth.
Keane scored nine of her game-high 23 points in the final 10 minutes, including the game-winning basket
Hannah Brown was named the Wilsons Security Defensive Player of the Game for the Capers while Allie Berry took the honours for the Axewomen.
Subway players of the game were Keane for Cape Breton and Anderson for Acadia.
Cape Breton moves on to face the top-seeded Saint Mary's Huskies at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon in the Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship finals at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
Provided by AUS Communications Office