Capers stretch winning streak to nine games

In the game played at the Sullivan Field House, the Capers trailed 41-39 early in the third quarter before finding their form and dominating the rest of the game.

“We were extremely sloppy in the first half and it wasn’t good,” said CBU head coach Fabe MacKenzie.

“We weren’t doing the right things, trying to play hard, but not getting the right things to happen. We finally turned it around, started to make shots, play harder and take things away from them to come out with a win.”

The Capers led 20-14 after the first quarter and 38-33 at the half.

After three quarters they led 59-47, before running away with the game with a 25-9 fourth quarter scoring edge.

Cassie Cooke scored a game-high 30 points to lead the CBU attack, followed by 11 from Jahlica Kirnon and 10 from Vicki Thistle.

Other notable performances came from Tanira McClurkin, who pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out 11 assists. Stephanie Toxopeus also had 10 rebounds to go along with nine points and four blocked shots.

The X-Women (8-9) were led by Donisha Young who scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Rebecca Sheehan added 12 points.

The Capers’ ninth consecutive win improved their record to 12-5 and gave them sole possession of second place in the conference standings.

“Nine straight is good, but we are just trying to peak going into the playoffs, get us playing the right way going in,” said MacKenzie. “We are getting there. We still have a little ways to go, but we are getting there.”

The game was the last home date of the season for the Capers. They’ll finish their season on the road with two games at Dalhousie, Feb. 18-19 and then Feb. 25 versus the University of Prince Edward Island.

The AUS championship will be hosted by St. FX beginning March 2.