Halifax, NS – In the second game of a home-and-home series, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted U SPORTS No. 2 ranked Acadia Axewomen in women's basketball action. The Axewomen put on a strong shooting display that gave them an early lead, and they didn't look back as they took this one 88-49.
Despite turnovers from both sides causing a choppy first few minutes of play, the Axewomen came out hot to start the game. Haley McDonald (Port Williams, NS) set the tone for the first quarter by hitting a 3-point shot while getting fouled, and then knocked down the free-throw as well.
Acadia jumped out to a quick 15-3 lead midway through the first quarter with 10 of those points coming from the shooting touch of McDonald.
The Tigers had quality offensive possessions with backdoor cuts resulting in layups, but the outside shooting was cold for them early. The Axewomen led the Tigers 29-12 at the end of the first quarter with McDonald scoring 15 in the first.
The Tigers were able to make a bit of a run to start the second quarter. The scoring was balanced, with four tigers picking up baskets, including a strong drive to the hoop from Robertha Charles (Montreal, QC).
The Axewomen defence stepped up in the last five minutes of the second quarter, only giving up one basket for the remainder of the second. Their outside shooting may have cooled down slightly in the second, but the Axewomen were able to adjust and started driving to the hoop to pick up tough layups in the paint.
Chelsea Slawter-Wright (Dartmouth, NS) led the Tigers in the half picking up six points on 3-3 shooting.
Acadia continued to extend their lead in the second, as the game went into halftime with the Axewomen leading 52-24.
The Axewomen continued to play stellar defence in the third quarter, with Alexandra Berry (Yarmouth, NS) bringing the intensity down low with two hard blocks in the quarter. On the offensive end, Berry showed her ability to play a pick-and-roll game with some nice moves rolling to the net.
Acadia's shutdown defence only allowed the Tigers to score two points in the quarter, coming off of free-throws from Slawter-Wright. The Axewomen stretched their lead to 42, as they finished the quarter up 68-26 on the Tigers.
The Tigers came out with more offensive intensity to start the fourth quarter as Sophie Gaube (Hubley, NS) made a strong move to the hoop, finishing through contact, and then knocking down the free-throw afterward.
The Tigers focused on winning the fourth-quarter, and kept it close with first-year Meghan Greenland (Saint John's, NL) knocking down two shots from long-range, and Sophie Gaube hitting one as well. The Tigers were able to outscore the Axewomen 23-20 in the final quarter.
The Axewomen walked away with the 88-49 victory in this one, with Haley McDonald's game-high 21 points earning her the Subway Player of the Game title.
The Tigers are back on the court on Tuesday when they take on Saint Mary's in an important 4-point game. The Axewomen are back in action next Saturday when they travel to face UPEI in a 4-point game.
Provided by Dalhousie Athletics Communication