Huskies defeat Capers 84-53 in battle of the boards

HALIFAX, NS – The U SPORTS #8 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies defeated the Cape Breton Capers 84-53 in Atlantic University Sport Women's basketball action on Friday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax.

A balanced team effort from the Huskies saw guard Courtney Donaldson (Kelowna, BC) scored 12 of her game-high 16 points in the second half, while forward Katelyn Power (Bayside, NS) came off the bench to deliver a team-high nine rebounds, three steals and three blocks and was recognized as Player of the Game. The Huskies took advantage of the Capers shooting (15-65 FG, 23%; 3-15 3PT, 20%) with nine Huskies registering multiple rebounds.

The Huskies charged out to an early lead. Forward Marlo Steenbakkers (Ottawa, ON) won the tip, leading to an immediate layup for guard Courtney Donaldson (Kelowna, BC). A step-back three for guard Alaina McMillan (Brantford, ON), and follow-up from Steenbakkers yielded an 8-0 Huskies lead. Capers All-Canadian forward Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) aggressive post play set the tone for the Capers, but unfortunately, so did her struggles at the rim. McMillan's off-ball movement was a headache for the Capers, draining a high arcing triple, and a steal off the inbound pass from forward Lucina Beaumont (Fredericton, NB) for a Steenbakkers lay-in forced the Capers into 13-1 timeout.

The Capers aggressive dribble penetration was deflected by Huskies defenders to awkward angles, missed layups, and six first quarter steals, but a series of Huskies miscues kept the game close. Capers forward Daragh Fleurgin (Montreal, QC) scored their first field goal with a layup four minutes in, before a three from guard Chermensa Van La Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands) narrowed the score to 16-9. The Huskies survived a scare when McMillan lost a contact lens while finishing a circus shot floater, but she returned quickly. With the Capers focused on McMillan, she replied with a clever back screen in the post to open up a Donaldson layup. Donaldson then stole the ball in the backcourt to put a stamp on a 26-13 Huskies advantage, taking advantage of Letlow's unexpected 0-5 start.

The Capers opened the second quarter optimistic, with a steal from guard Ajda Licina (Podgorica, Montenegro) and a layup for forward Hailey Macleod (Marion Bridge, NS). But Huskies spark plug guard Aki Kobiyashi (Hyogo, Japan), made a pair of free throws, stole the inbound attempt, and finished an and-one, kicking off a lethal run. The Huskies plan of clogging passing lanes to Lelow yielded steals, missed Capers threes, and a 42-24 halftime advantage.

Donaldson opened the second half with her own personal mixtape at the expense of Capers ankles, while Huskies full-court pressure forced harried sets. After a quiet first half, Capers guard Hannah Smith (Bedford, NS) finally found the net from three. Unfazed, the Huskies continued to stay focused on denying entry passes to Letlow, punctuated by a remarkable effort by forward Chloe Wilson (Dartmouth, NS) who recovered her own midcourt deflection in the corner in front of her bench.  Donaldson's onslaught in isolation or off the pick-and-roll left the Capers trailing 64-37 after three grueling quarters of action.

With Huskies help defense locked to Letlow, Fleurgin's fourth quarter forays into the paint unfroze the Capers offense. However, Huskies guards Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, NS) and Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, NS) found their own shooting stroke, maintaining their advantage. Late in the game, Katelyn Power (Bayside, NS) got her offence going with some dream-shake post moves much to the delight of the Homburg Centre crowd, and the Huskies closed out the game 84-53.

Courtney Donaldson led the Huskies in scoring with 16 points on 7-19 shooting, while Alaina McMillan added ten points, five assists, and four steals. Off the bench, Player-of-the-Game Katelyn Power had six points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks.

The Capers were led by Darah Fleurgin's 14 point (4-7 FG, 6-10 FT), four rebound, three steal performance off the bench, while Kiyara Letlow added a 13 point (2-11 FG, 9-12 FT), 12 rebound double-double.

The Huskies win improved their record to 9-3 on the season, while the Capers dropped to 5-8. The two teams will face off again on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Homburg Centre.

Recap by Dr. Casper Macaulay / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics

Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics