Axewomen down Memorial in decisive win to open 2025

WOLFVILLE — The Acadia Axewomen secured a commanding 83-47 victory over the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Friday at Stu Aberdeen Court in front of 532 fans. 

Samantha Russell led the Axewomen with 23 points, including three three-pointers, while adding six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Bianca Helmig contributed nine points, one three-pointer, and a game-high seven assists. Lisa Bolander impressed with 18 points, shooting 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, and Emily Nunes-Sabean anchored the defence with three blocks while chipping in eight points and seven rebounds. Sarah Delorey led the rebounding effort with eight boards and added seven points.

Alyssa Jenkins was the top performer for Memorial, scoring 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting while going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line and adding seven rebounds. Eavan McLaughlin scored 12 points, including two three-pointers, and recorded one block and one steal. Laura Murray contributed 10 points, hitting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Brooklyn Martens grabbed nine rebounds and added four points.

Acadia jumped out to a 26-14 lead after the first quarter, shooting 10-for-17 from the field, including three three-pointers. Russell's strong play, featuring multiple layups and two three-pointers, set the tone. The Axewomen also dominated the boards, pulling down 13 rebounds to Memorial's six, with Helmig dishing out four assists. Memorial struggled offensively, converting just four of 21 field goal attempts.

The Axewomen continued their dominance in the second quarter, outscoring Memorial 23-13 to extend their lead to as much as 26 points. Acadia's bench added 11 points, while the team controlled the paint with 10 points. Acadia was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all four attempts, and grabbed 13 rebounds, including 12 on defence.

The third quarter saw Acadia put the game further out of reach, outscoring Memorial 26-9. The Axewomen went 9-for-20 from the field and nailed five of nine three-point attempts. They capitalized on six Memorial turnovers to score six points and committed only one turnover themselves. Defensively, Acadia recorded three blocks and secured six defensive rebounds. Memorial struggled offensively, shooting 4-for-16 and failing to get to the free-throw line.

Despite being outscored 11-8 in the final frame, Acadia maintained its lead. The Axewomen shot 3-for-17, including one three-pointer, and added one free throw. The bench contributed five points, and the team briefly held a 39-point lead early in the quarter. Memorial made two of 17 field goal attempts but converted seven of nine free throws. Both teams committed four turnovers in the period.

Acadia and Memorial will meet again on Saturday night in Wolfville, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.