CAPERS Fall to X-Women 95-85

SYDNEY – The visiting STFX X-Women (2-10) defeated the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers 95-85 in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) basketball action on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Fieldhouse.

The White and Blue rode strong shooting – especially from beyond the arc – and a determined defensive effort, particularly on the interior, to the victory.

In a high-scoring first half, the hometown Capers jumped to an early double-digit advantage.

CBU led 26-17 after the first quarter, but the X-Women answered with a 37-point second stanza.

Buoyed by a trio of three-pointers late in the second quarter from Subway player of the game Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, NS), the visitors surged to a 56-42 edge heading to the locker room.

In the first half, the White and Blue shot a scintillating 52.6 percent, including 53.3 from beyond the arc.

The Capers stayed within striking distance from the free-throw line, making 84.6 percent – 11-for-13 – while the X-Women converted only 50 percent of their shots from the charity stripe.

STFX led 56-42 heading to the locker room.

CBU came out firing in the third quarter, outscoring STFX 15-4 in the opening five minutes to trim the double-figure halftime deficit to 60-59. Sophomore guard Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands) keyed the burst with five points, including a three-pointer.

The X-Women answered with an 8-0 response to regain a nine-point advantage – at 68-59 – with first-year forward Ekaterina Karchevskaya (Mogilev, BY) draining back-to-back three-pointers.

After three quarters, STFX led 70-61.

In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, the X-Women meshed the first eight points, while extending their edge to 78-61.

After Melina Collins (Brookside, NS) nailed a jumper from beyond the arc – midway through the final frame – the X-Women's lead ballooned to 20 – at 83-63.

The Capers responded with an 8-0 run – on the strength of the interior work of Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS) – to trim the STFX lead to 12, but Elizabeth Kennedy (Richmond, BC) ended the spurt for the X-Women with an acrobatic left-handed lay-up.

With less than two minutes remaining in the contest, Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) scored to slice the X-Women lead to 87-78.

CBU could not get any closer the rest of the way as STFX sealed their second victory of the AUS regular season.

MacKenzee Ryan (Glace Bay, NS) led four Capers in double figures – with 19 points – along with van la Parra (18), MacLeod (17), and Letlow (16). MacLeod and Letlow fashioned double-doubles with 14 and 24 rebounds, respectively.

Fraser led the X-Women, with a game-high 22 points, while also finishing a double-double with 11 rebounds. She also chipped in five assists.

Katie Upham (North River, NS) finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Karchevskaya, with 17, and Kira Athlerley (Lasalle, ON) – with 12 off the bench – also scored in double figures for the White and Blue.

The Capers will return to action on Friday, Jan. 13, when they host the Dalhousie Tigers at Sullivan Fieldhouse.

The X-Women will be back on the court Saturday, Jan. 14, with the Tigers making a stop on Coach K Court at the Saputo Centre in Antigonish.

Tip-off for both weekend match-ups is 6 p.m.

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