Huskies better X-Women in final game of first term

Antigonish, NS - The U Sports #7-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies (7-0) remained undefeated in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) basketball regular season action with a 60-42 victory over the winless StFX X-Women (0-7) Saturday evening at Oland Centre.

After a low-scoring opening five minutes of the first quarter, the teams were tied 5-5, with Korenda Colley (Dartmouth, NS) scoring four quick points for the X-Women.

From there, the Huskies made a 5-0 run to take a late 10-5 advantage.

On a buzzing-beating three-pointer from freshman guard Jessica Miller (Mount Denson, NS), the X-Women trimmed the lead to 10-8, after the first quarter.

Keyed by junior guard Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse (Montreal, QC), Saint Mary's completed a 14-2 spurt to take a 24-10 advantage.

On another late shot from beyond the arc from Miller, the X-Women cut the lead to 24-13 at halftime.

In the third quarter, veteran guard Angelina Carvery (Halifax, NS) led a 10-0 burst, with five consecutive points, including a three-pointer, to give the visitors a 34-13 edge.

After sophomore forward Jamie McCarron (New Glasgow, NS) hit a jumper to stop the Saint Mary's run, guard Holly Scott scored six straight points for the X-Women, on a hoop-and-harm and a three-pointer, to keep the home side within striking distance.

Off a dish from Luberisse, Katrina Murrell (Markham, ON) banked in a lay-up to give the Huskies a 46-22 lead, after three quarters.

Early in the fourth quarter, on the strength of a pair of three-point shots from freshman guard Jasmine Cain (Halifax, NS), the Huskies extended their advantage to 52-24.

Led by Scott and point guard Chelsea Provo (East Preston, NS), the X-Women finished the game with an 18-8 run, but they could not carve the Saint Mary's lead to less than 18 points.

Shanieka Wood (Ajax, ON) of the Huskies, who finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and one assist, earned Subway player of the game honours, while Kim Taylor (Toronto, ON), who contributed nine points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block, was named top player for the X-Women.

Carvery finished with a game-high 12 points, while Luberisse scored 11, along with chipping in eight rebounds, six assists and five steals. Murrell topped both teams, with 12 rebounds, while adding six points.  

Scott led the X-Women with 10 points, while collecting six rebounds and two assists. Provo added three points, five assists and six rebounds.

The match-up served as the wrap-up to the pre-Chrismas schedule for both teams.

The X-Women will return to action Friday, Jan. 7, at 6 p.m., when they host the Acadia Axewomen. On the next night, the Huskies will visit the Memorial Sea-Hawks in St. John's, NL, in a 6 p.m. NST start.

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