WOLFVILLE N.S. – Once winless, the Acadia Axewomen extended their winning streak to two after a 77-72 victory over the UNB Varsity Reds in Acadia Students Union Jam the Gym basketball action Friday night in support of Mental Health. Acadia led by as many as 15 early in the fourth quarter and would notch their first home win of the regular season.
Behind eight first quarter points from newcomer Paloma Anderson (Phoenix, AZ) the Axewomen were off to a strong start both offensively and defensively. Acadia held a 22-18 advantage after one quarter of play.
In the second frame, the lead disappeared on a trey by Caroline Healy (Bedford, N.S.) giving UNB a 2-point lead. However, the Axewomen answered with an 8-0 run. The Varsity Reds would tie the game again with a minute remaining in the first half, but back-to-back buckets by Allie Berry (Yarmouth, N.S.) and Katie Ross (Bedford, N.S.) gave Acadia a 39-35 cushion after one half.
An explosive third quarter for the Axewomen in which they outscored UNB 25-16 and held a 64-51 lead after three quarters. In the final frame, the V-Reds surged back behind six fourth quarter points from Healy who finished the game with 11.
The Axewomen stretched the lead to 15 at the start of the fourth quarter, but UNB close to within three with 19 seconds remaining on a jump shot by Rachel Cleary (Brantford, Ont.). Anderson, who went to the line and made both free throws in the closing seconds and sealed the win for Acadia, finished with 21 points, five rebounds and four steals.
Kylie Delong (St John's, Nfld.) was the Subway Player of the Game for UNB. Delong netted 16 points and also pulled down nine boards. Laura Kaye (Fredericton, N.B.) added 14 points and Grace Wade (Moncton, N.B.) chipped in 11.
Berry, named the Acadia Subway Player of the Game, posted her second double-double since the Winter Holiday break in December. Berry had 18 points and 16 rebounds - six on the offensive glass. Berry was a key factor in Acadia's out-rebounding of UNB 42 to 30. Paloma Anderson scored a game high 23 points, improving her points per game average to 16.2 in six games. Second year guard Chanel Smith sank 12 points and Aprille Deus added 11. Janelle Vanhie posted impressive results that included seven points and ten rebounds.
Acadia improves to 2-11, while the Varsity Reds drop to 6-8 and hold onto fifth place in the AUS women's basketball standings, four points ahead of the trailing Memorial Sea-Hawks.
Acadia and UNB will face each other again tomorrow night before the Axewomen head to Dalhousie on Tuesday for a make-up game that was postponed due to inclement weather this past Tuesday. The Varsity Reds head home to face UPEI next weekend.
Submitted by Ashley Hasler, Acadia Sports Information