Axewomen clamp down in second half to beat Dalhousie in season opener

HALIFAX, N.S. — Acadia used a decisive third quarter and a balanced attack to defeat the Dalhousie Tigers 64–50 in AUS women's basketball action Wednesday at the Dalplex. The Axewomen outscored Dalhousie 14–8 in the third and 19–15 in the fourth to pull away after trailing 14–10 following the first quarter.

Samantha Russell led Acadia with 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Sarah Delorey added 12 points and seven boards. Bianca Helmig finished with nine points and eight rebounds, while Taya Dixon and Emily Nunes-Sabean scored eight apiece. Acadia shot 38.8 per cent from the field and owned the paint 40–16.

Madelyn White paced Dalhousie with 24 points and nine rebounds. Melina Collins added 11 points. The Tigers shot 28.1 per cent and went 6-for-24 from three.

Acadia flipped the game in the second quarter, winning it 21–13 to take a 31–27 lead at halftime. The Axewomen's defence then held the Tigers to three field goals in the third. Late in the fourth, Rachel Veale hit a three to make it 57–48, and Russell followed with a layup to extend the margin as Acadia closed it out.

Next up: The Axewomen host Dalhousie in their home opener Saturday on Stu Aberdeen Court. Tipoff is 6 p.m.