VReds Clinch First Round Bye

(ANTIGONISH, NS) The UNB Varsity Reds wrapped up Atlantic University Sport regular season play with a 71-32 victory over the St. FX X-Women. With the win, the Varsity Reds clinch at least second place in the conference standings and secure a first-round bye at the Subway AUS Championship next weekend in Halifax.

Varsity Reds head coach Jeff Speedy commented, "I thought we were really focused this game, I think St. FX played as good a first half against us as they have all season, so they really made us work for it. I think our depth in the second half took over."

"I've had some really bad luck in this gym," said Speedy. "It was nice to meet our goal set earlier in the season which was to get the playoff bye."

The Varsity Reds were led by fourth year guard Laura Kaye(Fredericton, NB) who scored a game-high 22 points, earning Subway Player of the Game honors. She added four rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.

UNB held a 16-12 lead over the X-Women after the first quarter and were up 28-17 at the half.

The Varsity Reds held the X-Women to just five points in each of the second and fourth quarters.

"I think consistently we are playing ok defense, but we're not scoring and we're turning the ball over too much," said St. FX head coach Augy Jones. "Our focus today was to try to turn the ball over less than 30 times and score some points, but that didn't happen."

The X-Women had 33 turnovers in the game and struggled with a 25.0% field goal percentage.

UNB opened up their lead with a deep bench in the second half, outscoring the home squad 43-15.

Eva Tumwine(Fredericton, NB) scored 10 points off the bench for the Varsity Reds and had five rebounds, while Grace Wade(Moncton, NB) added eight points.

Korenda Colley(Dartmouth, NS) scored seven points for the X-Women before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. St. FX Player of the Game, Kendra Smith(North Preston, NS), scored eight.

The X-Women will play their final AUS regular season game Saturday night when they host the UPEI Panthers.

The Varsity Reds switch their attention to the Subway AUS Championship next weekend in Halifax. They'll bypass the quarter-finals and wait for a semi-final opponent on Saturday, March 4^th.

"I'm glad we only have to play two games instead of three," said Speedy. "This team has been there two years in a row, we've won a game and lost two, but we've played quite well so I like our experience, and I like our experience playing in that building."

"I really think it's wide open, I honestly think the sixth seed could win the whole tournament," said Speedy. "We're going to have to play two very good games to win and if we're healthy and play two good games then I think we have a good shot. I'm just excited to have the opportunity."

The Subway AUS Championship schedule will be announced on Monday, February 27^th.

RECAP BY: St. FX Athletics

PHOTO BY: Paul Hurford/for St. FX Athletics