Axewomen clinch first place in AUS standings

HALIFAX, N.S. – In their final home game of the season, the Dalhousie Tigers faced off against the Acadia Axewomen in Saturday night action. Acadia pushed the pace throughout the game and used their transition to get an early lead and hold on to it. The Axewomen came away with the 92-72 win and clinched first place in the AUS standings with a 17-2 record.

The Axewomen came out shooting to start the game, going 6-8 from the field in the opening four minutes including two from deep. The Axewomen spread the offense early and jumped out to a quick 15-5 lead over the Tigers.  

Sharp-shooter Haley McDonald (Port Williams, NS) put together an impressive first quarter, going 5-7 from the field with two of them from deep for a 14-point quarter. The Tigers were forced into late shot clock options that weren't falling for them, and as a result trailed 30-13 at the end of the first.  

The Tigers were able to get some energy from the production of Diedre Alexander (Woodstock, NB) early in the second quarter, working the ball inside and finishing strong.  

One of the biggest differences separating the teams were the numbers on the glass. Midway through the second, Acadia was out rebounding the Tigers by a total of 24-11, and used those rebounds to push the ball up the court quickly in transition.  

The Tigers had a string of steals in the final minutes of the half and used the transition play to earn trips to the line and pick up some points with the clock stopped before the half ended. Alexander ended the half with 12 points to lead the Tigers scorers while McDonald continued to get it done for the Axewomen, ending the half with 20 points.  

Heading into the break, the Axewomen held a commanding 52-31 lead.  

The Axewomen opened the second half on a quick run to extend their lead to 27 with Paloma Anderson (Phoenix, AZ) picking up eight points by getting into the paint. The Tigers were able to respond with a run of their own with Sophie Gaube (Hubley, NS) getting her outside shot going.  

The Tiger continued their run to end the third quarter by knocking down four shots in a row from deep, with Meghan Greenland (St. John's, NL) being responsible for three of them. The Tigers seemed content to live or die by the three, taking 19 of them compared to only 10 free throws through three quarters. 

The Tigers brought themselves within 12 heading into the fourth, with the score at 68-56.  

Acadia came out aggressively in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, feeding the ball into the paint with Alexandra Berry (Yarmouth, NS) becoming a huge presence inside.  

The Tigers continued to spread their offense around in the quarter, with four players finishing with double digit points, but the lead was too much for them to overcome. The Axewomen spoiled the Tigers senior night and came away with the 92-72 victory.  

Diedre Alexander led the Tigers in scoring in her final home game, finishing with 18 points, four rebounds and five assists. Haley McDonald earned the Subway Player of the Game honour with her game high 27 points and four rebounds. Alexandra Berry finished close behind her with 25 points and eight rebounds.  

The Tigers will finish their last two games on the road next weekend, starting with a trip to UNB on Friday. The Axewomen will wrap up their season on Friday when they travel to Cape Breton for a four-point game.