X-Women top first place REDS in overtime thriller

ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Women dropped the AUS leading UNB REDS in a 73-67 overtime thriller on Coach K Court on Saturday evening. The win improved the X-Women record to 12-5, as they remain in third place in the AUS standings. It was only the second loss of the season for UNB, and their first since November.  

Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game Ava MacNutt led the comeback win with 13 points on the night, while Shannon Neita became only the fourth X-Women in program history to score 500 points and 500 rebounds in a career. Kylee Speedy had 17 points for UNB.  

Speedy scored the first six points for the REDS, who held the early advantage in rebounds. The X-Women kept things tight until a Neita layup gave their first lead of the night in the seventh minute. The teams traded triples in the final minute of the quarter, which ended with STFX up 19-18.  

The Blue and White opened the second quarter with a 9-3 run in the first two minutes, forcing a UNB timeout. The REDS responded with a run of their own, and Katie Butts knocked down a late jumper to make it 33-32 at halftime.  

UNB pulled ahead early in the third quarter and continued to hamper the X-Women shooters throughout. A three pointer from Zoe Olscamp extended the visitors' lead to seven, as the REDS held STFX to only eight points in the quarter. Abby Mercer hit the last shot before the final stanza, which started with the home team down by 11.   

MacNutt cut into the lead with a three-point-play after a hard foul, and the X-Women went on a big run to go up by two with three minutes to go. The REDS fought back, with a pair of Speedy free-throws making it a two-score game. The X-Women kept up the pressure and with under 10 seconds to play, Mali Straker bounced an inbounds pass off the back of an opponent to catch the ricochet and layup the ball to tie things at 61-61, extending the game to overtime.  

MacNutt hit a deep jumper with 90 seconds to go in overtime for the STFX advantage, with Neita hitting two from the charity stripe 30 seconds later. The REDS fought to close the gap but the Blue and White held on for the win.  

The X-Women host their final home game of the season next weekend, when they face the Acadia Axewomen on Friday, February 6, at 6 p.m. The REDS continue their road trip next weekend, with a visit to the Saint Mary's Huskies, also of Friday at 6 p.m.  

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics