Axewomen top Tigers 70-67

Source: Acadia Athletics

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axewomen secured another win over the Dalhousie Tigers, 70-67 Thursday night, a less impressive showing compared to their 91-56 win last week over the Tigers. This could be in part be due to the absence of key player, fourth-year forward Emily Macleod (Fredericton, NB), who is out with a shoulder injury. 

Chanel Smith (Halifax, NS), who posted 15 game points, set the tone early with a 3-pointer 40 seconds into the game, helping the Axewomen to a 12-6 lead early in first quarter.

Five straight turnovers by the Dalhousie Tigers, and several three-point shots by second-year guard Sophie Gaube (Hubley, NS) helped even out the score to 20-20 with 30 seconds left. Chanel Smith ended the quarter, with another three-pointer, bringing the score to 23-20 for the Axewomen.  

The two teams remained close in throughout the second quarter. A 3-pointer by Ellen Hatt (Fall River, NS) in the last 3 minutes of the second quarter, broke the 32-32 tie, moving the Axewomen to 32-35. Strong defensive play on both sides, prevented either team from posting any additional points in the second frame, ending the half at 36-34 for the Axewomen. 

The Tigers pulled ahead of the Axewomen briefly in the third quarter, but eight points from player of the game Kelsey Rice (Beaver Bank, NS), and successful three-point shots from veterans Chanel Smith and Katie Ross (Bedford. NS) brought the Axewomen to 54-48 heading into the fourth. 

Back-to- back lay-ups by Shalyn Field (Halifax, NS) narrowed the lead to 66-65 with two minutes remaining in the game. Free throws from Chanel Smith and Paloma Anderson (Phoenix, Arizona) pushed the lead to a 70-67 Acadia advantage. 

A jump shot by Claire Hickman (St.John's, NL) in the last second of the game helped the Tigers gain ground, but ultimately it was not enough to overtake Acadia. 

Kelsey Rice, named the Subway Player of the Game, netted 11 points and 15 rebounds. Paloma Anderson led the Axewomen with 16 points, while Tiger Sophie Gaube led Dalhousie with 17points and teammate Shalyn Field had a game high 12 rebounds and 15 points. 

The Axewomen improve to 5-6 and will take on UPEI in a four-point game next Friday, while the Tigers play the top-ranked CBU Capers in Cape Breton.