(HALIFAX, N.S.) – The Cape Breton Capers claimed a hard-fought win Friday afternoon over the Memorial Sea-Hawks in the quarter-final round of the Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championships in Halifax.  

Led by fifth-year guard Jalynn Skeir (Halifax, N.S.) who had a game-high 24 points, the Capers claimed a 55-53 victory to advance to Saturday's playoff semifinals.  

The two teams were evenly matched in the opening frame, exchanging baskets and scoring 12 apiece. 

A big second quarter from AUS first-team all-star Sydney Stewart (Sarnia, Ont.) helped the Sea-Hawks to pull away. They outscored the Capers 15-8 in the frame to take a 27-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.  

Cape Breton fought back hard in the third quarter, outscoring Memorial 26-12, with eight points coming from Skeir. They led 46-39 heading into the final frame.  

The Capers pulled ahead by 10, 51-41, to open the fourth quarter.  

The Sea-Hawks closed the gap to within two in the final minutes. But it would not be enough as the Capers held on for the 55-53 win. 

AUS MVP Alison Keough (Marion Bridge, N.S.) had eight points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in the Capers victory. Valentina Primossi (Trieste, Italy) added eight points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists. 

Stewart led the Sea-Hawks with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in the loss. Graciela Diaz-Brito (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain) had a double-double with 12 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.  

The Capers will now face the UNB Varsity Reds in the championship semifinals Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. The No. 2-seeded Varsity Reds received a bye to the semi-final round.