CAPERS Fall to Reds in AUS Action

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS used a full-team attack to beat the Cape Breton Capers 99-65 In a big four-point Atlantic University Sport women's basketball game on Sunday, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

Jayda Veinot led the REDS with 23 points and nine rebounds.

"That's an important win for us to have before going to playoffs," said Veinot, named Subway Player of the Game. "We know that we're a competent offensive team, but sometimes we need a reminder. Today we found ways to score and did so through different people."

Eleven of the 12 REDS players scored and rebounded in the win.

The first quarter featured a series of short runs by both teams.

A three-point basket by Jolianne Guay (Prévost, QC) and an 'and 1' play by Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) propelled the REDS to a 27-16 lead after 10 minutes.

In the second quarter, the REDS surged ahead, building a big lead.

Midway through the quarter, off a Capers turnover, Veinot scored three points on another 'and 1' play to put the REDS ahead 39-22.

UNB extended that lead to 44-24 and was ahead 51-33 at the half.

In the third, the Capers began chipping away at the big UNB lead, pulling to within a dozen points at one point.

A Katie McAffee (Lower Knoxford, NB) three-point basket helped push the REDS' lead back to 18, at 64-46.

After three quarters, UNB was up 72-55.

Early in the fourth, another Guay three-pointer and a couple of Speedy free throws gave UNB a 21-point advantage, 77-56.

With three minutes to play, and UNB having sat their starters, the REDS pushed the lead to 94-63 on a couple of McKinley Bezanson (Hantsport, NS) free throws.

Speedy finished the day with 19 points, while Guay dropped 11.

Kiara Letlow (Toronto, ON) led the way for the Capers, scoring 25 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, both were game-highs.

"We think we match up with this team pretty well, but we didn't execute, we weren't playing super disciplined, and our confidence was a factor in how it ended," said Letlow. "We're just getting focused on our upcoming games now, we're not going to dwell on it."

Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS) contributed 13 points for Cape Breton, while the Capers short bench scored just three points.

Sunday's game was the REDS' annual Shoot for the Cure Game, part of Stewart-McKelvey Think Pink Week at UNB. The week raises money for the national Shoot for the Cure effort on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society.

"I think our team was excited for this game and I think UNB has invested in this cause, so I think we wanted to come out and win today," said Veinot.

"When you're playing a four-point game, there's a lot more at stake," said Letlow. "We'll definitely feel this loss more. But you can't change it, so we have to focus on our next game."

Up next for the REDS, a trip to Halifax to face the Dalhousie Tigers, Friday at 6:00pm.

The Capers return home to host Acadia on Friday. That game is scheduled for a 6:00pm start.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics