Tigers push past Capers 70-53 to remain in first place

The Dalhousie Tigers extended their winning streak to three games with an emphatic 70-53 win at home over the Cape Breton Capers Friday night at the Dalplex. The Tigers used a huge second half run to put away the Capers, and they allowed just four points in the final quarter of play.

The Tigers (13-6) are now in a three-way tie with UPEI and Saint Mary's for first place in the AUS with just a game left in the season, while the Capers (9-10) have settled into fifth-place.

AUS leading scorer Courtney Thompson led the Tigers with a game-high 18 points to go along with five rebounds, while Tessa Stammberger had a great two-way game with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kristy Moore also chipped in 10 points for the Tigers on 3-8 shooting.

Valentina Primossi had a team-high 14 points for the Capers, while Collean Keane finished just four assists shy of a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

After the Tigers gained a 15-10 lead after the first quarter of play, the Capers came out with a vengeance in the second quarter, starting out on a 14-4 run as they gained a 24-19 lead midway through the second quarter. Rebecca Nuttall regained the lead for the Tigers when she made a pair of free-throws to make it a 28-26 game. The Capers took back the lead almost as soon as they lost it, and Shantiera Miller's jumper with nine seconds left gave the Capers a 33-28 lead going into halftime.

Allison Keough led the Capers at halftime with ten points on 5-8 shooting, while Colleen Keane grabbed nine boards to go along with four assists. Courtney Thompson led the Tigers with 10 points, while Rebecca Nuttall had five rebounds and four points.

The Capers kept the pressure on in the third quarter, forcing the Tigers into multiple turnovers, and they pushed it in transition and looked for a moment like they'd pull away. The Tigers answered back with a 7-0 run to end the quarter, which was capped by Deidre Alexander's three in the final seconds that gave the Tigers a 50-49 edge as the teams headed into the final quarter.

The Tigers stayed red hot to start the fourth quarter, as their 8-0 run turned into a 20-2 run as they mounted a 61-51 lead in the fourth quarter, as the Capers struggled to contain the Tigers offense. The Tigers held the Capers to just four points in the quarter as they came away with a 70-53 victory.

The two teams will meet again to finish off their seasons tomorrow at the Dalplex. Tip off is at 2:00pm. You can catch it live online at www.AUSTv.ca