Axewomen explode in a convincing win over the fourth place Reds

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axewomen grabbed a big 4-point 88-53 win over the visiting UNB Reds on Friday night to improve to 8-3

The Axewomen controlled the scoreboard and forced several shot clock violations against the Reds in a 19-13 first quarter lead.

Acadia kept up their defensive strong play throughout the second quarter, racking up 42 points, thanks to the strong play of third-year guard Haley MacDonald (Port Williams, N.S.), who sits second in the AUS conference points per game. McDonald netted 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists all in the first half alone.

By the first intermission, the Reds trailed the Axewomen 42-28.

The Axewomen were scoring from all angles, shooting well from both the field (16 of 37 - 43.2%) and from three (5 of 11 - 45.5%) in the first half.

Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, N.S.) had an explosive third quarter, bringing her point total to 20, only 2 shy of the leader - her teammate MacDonald.

Veinot finished the game with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Her performance in the third locked up the game and her team's Subway Player of the Game Award.

This is Veinot's third game of 20 points or more and defending the first year Axewomen has been a problem for the opposition.

"The first few games, all I was looking to do was shoot the three, but now people are expecting it but now I am working on my driving game," said Veinot.

The Axewomen brought both of their shooting percentages over 50% after the third quarter, shooting 28 of 54 from the field and 8 of 14 from three.

The score after three quarters read 73-45, that included a massive 31 point Acadia quarter.

The odds of a comeback disappeared in the final frame for the Reds, with Acadia posting an 88-53 win over UNB.

UNB guard Mikaela Dodig (Bolton, Ont.) had the best numbers across the board for her team, putting up 17-6-3, earning her team's Player of the Game award.

The one area that the Reds excelled in was their free throws, as they made 13 of 15 attempts. In all other aspects of the game, Acadia was the superior team.

The Reds play their second 4-point game on the road Saturday night against Saint Mary's.

The Axewomen visit Sydney, N.S. this Sunday for a 4-point matchup against the second place 10-1 Cape Breton Capers.

Submitted by Theodore Giesen