WBB: CAPERS' Brown has strong game despite loss.

(FREDERICTON, NB) The defending AUS champion CAPERS opened the season on a losing note.

The V-Reds built a 16-point halftime lead on the Cape Breton Capers on route to a 78-63 win.

Mikaela Dodig(Bolton, ON) scored 19 points to lead the Varsity Reds.

Hannah Brown(North Sydney, NS) led the Capers, scoring a game-high 21 points.

"At the end of the day we lost," said Brown. "This is a learning experience and we learned from that game and we'll move forward to the next one."

Dodig scored nine of her points in the first half, going three for four from three-point range.

The Varsity Reds outscored the Capers 18-13 in the third quarter to lead 63-42 heading into the fourth.

Cape Breton won the final quarter 21-15, but it wasn't enough.

Neither team will have to wait long to make the adjustments they say they need to make.

The Varsity Reds host the Capers again Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics