Dal outlasts Cape Breton 64-62

(Halifax, N.S.) – A diverse offensive performance helped the Dalhousie Tigers split the weekend series with the Cape Breton Capers on Saturday afternoon at the Dalplex.

Three Tigers players all scored in double figures, led by guards Shalyn Field (Halifax, NS) with 19 points and Diedre Alexander (Woodstock, NB) with 14. Cape Breton's Alison Keough (Marion Bridge, NS) was the leading scorer for either team for the second consecutive game, with 24 points and nine rebounds.

Dalhousie burst out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, led by guard Michele Tchiakoua (Montreal, QC) who recorded five of the team's first seven points.

The Tigers would drive the lead to 13-4 just before the midway point of the quarter, before the Capers began to push back, thanks to back-to-back three pointers from guards Valentina Primossi (Trieste, IT) and Jalynn Skeir (Halifax, NS).

Four different players would put points on the board in the opening 10 minutes for Dalhousie however, as they entered the second up 22-16.

Turnovers played a huge factor in the second quarter, and the first half as a whole. Cape Breton committed 12 compared to just eight for Dalhousie.

The Tigers did an effective job in transition, particularly towards the end of the quarter, finishing with a few easy looks inside from Field and centre Ashley Cain (Toronto, ON).

Keough kept her squad in the game with firm play inside the paint, and the Capers had eight offensive rebounds in the first half, however they entered the break trailing 39-27.

Dalhousie ran into foul trouble in the third quarter, as Cape Breton was able to hit the bonus relatively early on. Yet again it was Keough who was the prime benefactor at the line, as the Capers went on a 9-2 run over the first five minutes of play.

Dalhousie responded with a 5-0 run of their own shortly after, and led 53-45 at the end of three. Yet again it was Field and Alexander who powered the Dalhousie attack, scoring a number of points inside the paint.

Cape Breton outscored Dalhousie 17-11 in the final quarter, and cut the Tigers lead down to two, at 62-64 in the final 30 seconds of play, but were unable to complete the comeback.

The Capers were unable to match the Tigers scoring prowess as a whole. The home side finished with a 47.4 percent shooting percentage from the field – which included going 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, while the visitors shot just 36.1 percent.

With the win, Dalhousie now sits at 1-1, as do the Capers. Dalhousie's next action goes this Wednesday as they travel down the road to face Saint Mary's, while Cape Breton will host Acadia on Friday.

By: Mike Still, Dalhousie Athletics