Huskies top Varsity Reds 62-36 to earn spot in Sunday’s championship game

March 5, 2016

(HALIFAX, N.S.) – The Saint Mary's Huskies' strong second half play saw them earn a 62-36 win over the UNB Varsity Reds in the first semifinal of the Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship, Saturday at Scotiabank Centre.

The win gives the Huskies a place in the championship final game Sunday at 1 p.m.

The first half saw low scoring back-and-forth action from both sides of the court, with Saint Mary's holding a one-point edge over the Varsity Reds at the half, 21-20.

In the opening quarter, the UNB had a 55.6 field goal percentage, hitting five out of their nine shots attempted.

The Huskies pulled ahead in the start of the third, holding a 26-20 edge just two minutes into the frame.

Saint Mary's continued strong throughout the third, capitalizing on a low scoring quarter from the Varsity Reds, pulling ahead to a 37-24 lead with just 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

The Huskies extended their lead throughout the fourth quarter, outscoring the Varsity Reds 25-12 in the frame to sail to a 62-36 victory.

In the fourth, the Huskies hit 60 per cent of their field goals, completing nine out of 15 attempted, and had a 60 per cent three-point percentage, hitting three of an attempted five.

Jenny Lewis (Fall River, N.S.) led the Huskies, scoring 12 points in the final quarter to finish with a game-high 16, adding three rebounds in the victory.

The Subway player of the game for the Huskies was Rachelle Coward (Dartmouth, N.S.), finishing with 13 points and adding five rebounds and one assist.

Laura Kaye (Fredericton, N.B.), the Subway player of the game for the Varsity Reds, finished with seven points, adding three rebounds and two assists.

Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse (Montreal, Que.), the AUS regular season defensive player of the year, earned the Wilsons Security defensive player of the game for the Huskies, posting six points and adding six rebounds, four steals and three assists in the game.

The Wilsons Security defensive player of the game for the Varsity Reds was Rachel Cleary of Brantford, Ont., who posted seven points, nine rebounds, and two steals.

The defending champion Huskies now advance to the Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship final. They will face the Cape Breton Capers Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Scotiabank Centre.

Photo Credit: Nick Pearce