REDS Rally Not Enough

(WOLFVILLE, NS) The Acadia Axewomen defeated the UNB REDS 82-76 in Atlantic University Sport women's basketball action on Friday, in Wolfville.

Bianca Helmig (Speyer, GER) led the Axewomen with a career-high 32 points. She also tallied five assists and five rebounds. Samantha Russell (Dartmouth, NS) dominated the boards with 11 defensive rebounds and scored 16 points.

UNB's Maheva Ngassam (Saint Hubert, QC) paced the Reds with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. She also grabbed six rebounds. Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) added 18 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Lillian Fuller (Dartmouth, NS) scored 15 points, while Ann Bastien (Terrebonne, QC) delivered eight assists and two blocks.

Acadia took control early, leading 17-10 after the first quarter. UNB struggled with turnovers, committing eight.

The second quarter was closely contested, with Acadia outscoring UNB 26-25. The Axewomen built a 14-point lead at one point, with Russell making her presence felt in the paint. UNB's Addie Mombourquette (Fredericton, NB) hit two three-pointers, and Bastien facilitated with assists, but turnovers continued to plague the REDS.

UNB fought back in the third quarter, outscoring Acadia 22-20. The REDS dominated the paint with 18 points, but Acadia held their lead through efficient free-throw shooting.

The fourth quarter was evenly matched, with both teams scoring 19 points. Acadia leveraged 10 points in the paint and edged UNB in rebounding, grabbing 13 total boards. UNB was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all eight attempts, while Acadia went 4-for-8.

The Axewomen held off the REDS' late-game push to secure the win and improve to 4-and-3. UNB falls to 3-and-4.

Next up for Acadia, the STFX X-Women next Saturday night.

UNB is back in action this Saturday, at Saint Mary's.

RECAP BY: Acadia Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Peter Oleskevich/for Acadia Athletics