(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB Reds beat the Cape Breton Capers 64-59 in their Subway Atlantic University Sport quarter-final match, on Friday, in Halifax.
Mikaela Dodig (Bolton, ON) scored a team-high 19 points to lead the Reds.
"My first playoff win, first playoff win for this team, and it feels so good that we got over this hump that we've had for the past few years," said Dodig.
The win was the first for UNB, at the AUS Championships, since 2016.
Eva Tumwine (Fredericton, NB) added 17 points and grabbed five rebounds, earning the Subway Player of the Game nod.
"I felt like we were fully prepared," said Tumwine. "All week, we were pushing that we were going to win this game, there was no negative energy, all positive. We pushed each other from the start to the end of the week."
The teams traded scoring opportunities early in the first quarter, missing on some, connecting on some.
Jolianne Guay (Prevost, QC) dropped a pair of baskets and a foul shot as the Reds trailed the Capers 12-11 after 10 minutes.
In the second quarter, Guay continued to be a factor, taking an early charge just as the Capers appeared poised to seize momentum. On the ensuing Reds possession, Tumwine scored to put UNB up 17-15.
A Dodig three point shot with about 2:00 to play in the quarter extended a UNB run to 7-0 as the Reds surged ahead 24-19.
Miki Basambombo's (Cotê Saint-Luc, QC) basket pushed that run to 9-0, before Cape Breton could score again.
A late Tumwine lay-up gave UNB a 28-21 lead at the half.
The teams played an exciting third quarter, that saw them each score 20 points.
Two minutes in, Katie Daley (Hanwell, NB) put up a three-point shot that gave UNB a 35-27 lead.
Grace Simpson pushed the Reds' advantage to 10, with a nice put-back about 3:30 in.
Tumwine continued to be a force, scoring a basket and drawing a foul, and the Reds led 44-33 7:00 in.
The Capers clawed back to within five, but a Tumwine leaner made it 48-41 through 30 minutes.
In the final quarter, fouls and turnovers were a problem for the Reds through the first three minutes. The Capers rallied to within four, then drew even, 56-56, with 2:00 to play.
Krystal Osburn (Nottawa, ON) hit a key shot with just over a minute to play, and Guay scored on the Reds' next possession to give UNB a 60-56 lead with 35 seconds left on the clock.
The Capers knocked down a late three, but had to foul the Reds the rest of the way and UNB emerged with the win.
"We were ready for it," said Dodig. "More than one person stepped up today. We wanted it, we really wanted it."
Guay finished the game with seven points. Daley, Grace Simpson (Fredericton, NB), and Basambombo all had six.
Mackenzee Ryan (Glace Bay, NS) led the Capers with a game-high 20 points.
"In the past, I don't think we were fully prepared for first quarter to fourth, and we didn't play well first to fourth, and today was a much better effort by our team," said Tumwine. "That was our goal since September."
"Now our goal is winning tomorrow's game," she added.
The Reds face the UPEI Panthers in Saturday's semi-finals. Tip-off is at 1:00pm.
The Panthers finished 1st in the AUS, with a 17-3 record.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Nick Pearce/for Atlantic University Sport