CAPERS defeat REDS in AUS women’s basketball action
By Corey LeBlanc
SYDNEY – The Cape Breton University (CBU) CAPERS (2-0) scored a second consecutive home victory – 68-62 – over the UNB REDS (0-2) to open the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball regular season on Saturday afternoon at Sullivan Fieldhouse.
The hometown CAPERS jumped to a 9-1 edge early in the first quarter, keyed by the strong interior play of Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) and Hannah Smith (Bedford, NS), whose three-pointer provided the eight-point advantage. Sparked by Maheva Ngassam (Saint Hubert, QC), the REDS responded with a 5-0 burst to trim the deficit to 9-6. Led by a 10-point, nine-rebound effort from Letlow, the CAPERS were up 17-15 after the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, on the strength of a three-pointer from Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) and a pair of free throws from Ann Bastien (Terrebonne, QC), the REDS took their first lead – at 21-19. The CAPERS quickly regained the lead on a three-pointer from fifth-year senior Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS).
Capped by an old-fashioned three-point play from Bastien – the hoop-and-harm – UNB made an 11-4 run to lead 33-26. The sides traded points down the stretch of the second quarter, with the REDS taking a 40-33 edge to the locker room at halftime.
In the third quarter, the CAPERS outscored the REDS 21-10, including a 13-2 run, to take a 54-50 edge heading to the final stanza.
In the fourth quarter, after consecutive baskets from Kristen Taylor (Fredericton, NB), CBU was up 62-55. Down the stretch, led by Ngassam and Butts, the REDS sliced the CAPERS' lead to 63-60. With less than four seconds remaining in the shot clock – Smith canned what turned out to be a clinching three-pointer to make it 66-60 with only 18.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Letlow, the player of the game, helped seal the deal from the free-throw line.
Letlow fashioned a double-double, finishing with game-highs in points (17) and rebounds (23), while MacLeod and Taylor scored in double figures, with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Butts, the REDS player of the game, with a team-high 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Ngassam – with 15 points and 12 rebounds – garnered double-doubles to lead the REDS. Bastien and Addie Mombourquette (Fredericton, NB) finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The CAPERS will return to the court on Thursday, Nov. 7, when they travel to Antigonish to face the rival STFX X-Women on Coach 'K' Court at the Saputo Centre.
The REDS will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 9, when they host the Dalhousie Tigers in their home opener in Fredericton.
Tip-off time for both match-ups is 6 p.m. AST.
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