By Daniel Simpkin
Halifax, NS – The Tigers lost to the Cape Breton Capers 90-75 at Dalplex on March 12th, 2022.
In her last game home game of the regular season, veteran forward Lia Kentzler (Göttingen, Germany) got the Tigers offence rolling early behind a deep three at 7:06 of the first quarter which extended the Tigers to a quick 9-6 lead over the Capers.
In what quickly became a back and forth quarter, Katie Crombeen (Calgary, Alta.) assisted Kentzler in making a crucial lay-up that put the Tigers back on top in the scoring after three back-to-back lead changes.
Despite considerably strong offensive output, it was the sustained defensive pressure from Tigers forwards Hannah Chadwick (Toronto, Ont.) and Katie Wuotila (Calgary, Alta.) that ensured the Tigers a narrow 20-16 lead in the closing minute of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Hailey Macleod (Marion Bridge, NS) was leading the Capers scoring with eight points and continued her output with a lay-up that brought her team within four points of the Tigers lead one minute into the second quarter.
Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, Ont.) notched six rebounds on both ends of the floor which were quickly translating into points for the Capers. Letlow's presence on the glass created scoring opportunities for Macleod and Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands) who combined to extend the Capers lead to 29-26 half-way through the second quarter.
A clever defensive play from Crombeen resulted in a crucial steal from Capers guard Mackenzee Ryan (Glace Bay, NS) and a lay-up for the Tigers at 2:36.
Emma Ward (Moncton, NB) followed up Crombeen's steal with a mid-range jumper that closed the gap between the Tigers and the Capers with less than two minutes left to play in the half.
In the closing minute of the second quarter, Wuotila and Ryan exchanged 3-point jump shots to close out the first half in fashion.
At the half, Cape Breton led 46-42 and were shooting 56% from the field with 14/25 made shots and 18 rebounds. The Tigers shot 40% from the field with 16/40 made field goals and 12 rebounds. Crombeen led the Tigers with nine points and Letlow led the Capers with 16.
The Capers opened the third quarter in top-form and quickly sprung out to a 59-42 lead at 5:59.
Ward, Chadwick, and Crombeen connected for back-to-back steals and lay-ups at 5:04 which cut into the 62-46 Capers lead.
After Letlow hit a made and-one off a foul and scored a lay-up off of an assist from Ryan, van la Parra scored two free-throws and gave the Capers their first twenty-point lead of the game. At 2:52 of the third quarter, the Capers led 71-48.
The Capers continued their strong offensive output and closed out the third quarter with a 76-51 lead.
Ryan hit her second-three point shot a minute into the fourth quarter and pushed the Capers lead out to 79-53.
A late push from the Tigers saw Anjuli Gosal (Brampton, Ont.) and Andrea Hebert (St Catherines, Ont.) make some highlight reel scoring plays, however it was not enough for the Tigers to close the distance.
The Capers won the game 90-75.
The top performer of the game for the Tigers was Hannah Chadwick who had 19 points, three rebounds, and one assist.
Subway AUS Player of the Game honours were awarded to Kiyara Letlow who had 35 points, 16 rebounds, and one assist.
Both teams continue their respective campaigns in the 2020 Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship presented by next week at Scotiabank Centre.