Huskies remain undefeated with 59-57 win over REDS

FREDERICTON, NB - The U SPORTS #3 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies remain undefeated, after beating the UNB REDS 59-57 in Atlantic University Sport women's basketball action on Friday night in Fredericton, NB.

Saint Mary's outscored the REDS 13-9 over the first ten minutes, thanks in part to some great play from guard Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, NS) who scored seven points and blocked two shots in the opening quarter.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Turning defence into offence! Clara Gascoigne gets to the basket for two as the Huskies lead the Reds 13-7 after the first. pic.twitter.com/Tdiuo6R1J0

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 17, 2025

The Huskies opened the second quarter on a 13-2 run, including threes from guards Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, NS) and Julia Black (Halifax, NS), ballooning their lead to 26-11. 

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Aliyah Fraser hits for three! Huskies lead the Reds 34-31 at the half. pic.twitter.com/5dfEhEQJfK

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 17, 2025

After a UNB timeout, the REDS surged to life, putting together a 12-0 run to close the gap to 26-23. The remainder of the half was close, and the Huskies took a 34-31 lead to the half-time break.

The third quarter saw Huskies guard Aki Kobayashi (Osaka, Japan) get her offence going, as she dropped seven points, including a three-pointer to open up a 45-38 advantage.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Aki Kobayashi continues her outstanding play, hitting a three to grow the Huskies lead to 7! pic.twitter.com/xWq3fI3dhJ

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 17, 2025

But the REDS came back again, with guard McKinley Bezanson (Hantsport, NS) dropping a three-point shot to pull the REDS within two, at 47-45. Huskies wing Evie Hargraves (Saint John, NB) responded with a three of her own, and the Huskies took a 50-45 lead into the final quarter.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Evie Hargraves hits the three after freezing the defence with the pass fake! Huskies lead 50-45 after three quarters of play. pic.twitter.com/QKFqs0QZ0r

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 17, 2025

The fourth quarter was a defensive battle, that saw the REDS pull ahead briefly, with guard Maheva Ngassam (Saint Hubert, QC) hitting a lay-in to put the hosts ahead 56-52 with just under four minutes remaining. 

That was the last field goal the REDS would score, as the Huskies defence clamped down. On the other end, forward Lucina Beaumont (Fredericton, NB) hit a three-pointer, before Ngassam answered with a single free-throw to restore the 57-55 REDS advantage.

After Clara Gascoigne hit a pair of free-throws to tie it at 57-57, the Huskies forced a REDS turnover, and Aki Kobayashi hit a driving lay-up for the game-winning shot, as Saint Mary's squeaked out the 59-57 victory.

Saint Mary's forward Lucy Beaumont was named Player of the Game, leading the Huskies with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Aki Kobayashi chipped in 13 points and four assists, and Clara Gascoigne stuffed the stat-sheet with 11 points, five rebounds, four blocks, two assists and two steals.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Aki Kobayashi is clutch!!! The reigning Huskies Athlete of the Week hits the game-winning lay-in to give the Huskies a late 59-57 victory and improve to 12-0 on the season! pic.twitter.com/l5VcL10AgQ

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 17, 2025

The Huskies win improved their league-leading record to 12-0 on the campaign. It was also a milestone for head coach Scott Munro - his 200th regular season win in AUS competition. The Huskies will be back in action next Friday, Jan. 24, as they visit the Memorial Sea-Hawks (1-11) in St. John's, NL, with tip-off at 5:30 p.m. ADT.

The REDS drop to 5-7 on the season. They'll be back in action on Friday, Jan. 24, visiting the Dalhousie Tigers (2-9) at 6 p.m. at the Dalplex.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by James West / UNB Athletics