(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds fell short in an up and down game, 72-68 to the University of Winnipeg Wesmen on Saturday night.

The game was the Reds' second of the 2019 Stewart McKelvey Helen Campbell Women's Basketball Tournament, at UNB's Currie Center.

The Reds are 0-2 in the tournament, while the Wesmen are 2-0.

"It was definitely a great learning experience," said second year Red Katie Daley (Hanwell, NB). "We, for sure, have got to figure out our defense and how we're going to play great defence down the stretch."

The Reds had difficulty creating offence early as the Wesmen defence kept them to the outside and left them trailing 19-11 after the first quarter.

Despite some similar struggles in the second quarter, the Reds cut the deficit slightly to finish the half down 34-29. 

At half-time, Deb Robinson presented the Lieutenant Colonel Erin Savage Scholarship, named after her late daughter, a former UNB player, to fifth-year forward Eva Tumwine (Fredericton, NB).

The Reds came out strong in the third quarter, quickly erasing the deficit with more organized play. That momentum sent them into the fourth with a 55-48 lead. 

However, the Reds could not hold off the Wesmen who surged back, outscoring UNB 24-13 in the fourth quarter to claw back the lead and the win in the final minutes.

"We needed to step up our offense," said Daley. "They're a very physical team it was a great game that way, it was great to battle a really great team."

Daley went 6-for-6 from the free throw line with 16 points and six rebounds for the Reds.

Faith Hezekiah (East St. Paul, MB) had a game high 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Wesmen.

The Wesmen play their last tournament game against the Laval Rouge et Or at 11:00am, on Sunday morning.

The Reds playing their last tournament game against the Dalhousie Tigers at 1:00pm.

RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics