Axewomen sweep weekend at UNB with 87-59 win

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Acadia Axewomen completed a weekend sweep of the UNB Reds with an 87-59 win on Saturday. 

Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) scored a game-high 32 points, earning Subway Player of the Game honours. 

"We struggled a bit in our first half, but we had a really good team chat at the half," said Veinot. "We came out ready to play the basketball we know we're capable of. We weren't boxing out or finishing plays. They out-rebounded us, but we were definitely happy with our ability to finish better in the second." 

The Axewomen took command in the early going, using a 6-0 run mid-way through the opening quarter to go ahead 14-9. 

Mikaela Dodig (Bolton, ON) then scored the next three baskets, the third one a long three-point shot, to put UNB back on track and back in the lead. 

At the end of the first, the Reds led 17-16. 

Dodig continued to hold the hot hand in the second quarter, scoring baskets on back-to-back possessions to tie the game 29-29. The fourth-year guard had 16 points in the first half. 

In the final minute of the second quarter, Katie Daley (Hanwell, NB) hit a three-point shot and Eva Tumwine (Fredericton, NB) followed with a two to give the Reds a 34-33 lead at the half. 

The third quarter saw Acadia fashion another lead, and then pull away. 

On the strength of 50-percent field goal shooting, the Axewomen outscored the Reds 28-15 in the third, establishing a lead that would not be threatened. 

Acadia limited UNB to just 10 points in the final quarter, on route to the 87-59 victory. 

"I think we lost our focus," said Reds forward Grace Simpson (Fredericton, NB). "They were able to go on an 11-0 run, and that put us off our game." 

Simpson scored 10 points for the Reds, while Dodig finished with 19. 

Haley McDonald (Port Williams, NS) scored 17 points for the Axewomen, while Sarsha Cadle (Melbourne, Australia) recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. 

The Axewomen are now 4-and-0 and head to St. John's next weekend for games against Memorial. 

The Reds, now 1-and-3, are on the road as well. They're in Sydney to face Cape Breton on Friday and Saturday. 

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics 

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics