Host V-Reds upset defending champion Axewomen to advance to semifinal

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) – In the second quarter-final game of the 2013 Subway AUS Women's basketball playoffs, the host UNB Varsity Reds upset the defending AUS champions and third-seeded Acadia Axewomen by a score of 66-60 in front of 970 fans at the Richard J. Currie Center. 

The Varsity Reds will now advance to Saturday night's second semifinal where they will face the second-seeded StFX X-Women at 8:00pm. 

Subway player of the game for UNB was fifth-year post Melissa Foster, with 6 points and 9 rebounds. 

Leading the offensive attack for UNB was first-year guard, Chelsey Collette with 10 points off the bench.  Colleen Daly had nine, while Claire Colbourne and Katelyn Mangold had eight a piece.

For Acadia, Subway player of the game Rita Leila Sibo led the way with a game-high 22 points while AUS all-star Kristy Moore chipped in with 19.

After a back and forth first quarter, the Varsity Reds led 17-14. Struggling from the field early, the V-Reds were able to stay in the game by staying active on the offensive glass. 

For Acadia, fourth-year post Abbey Duinker got off to a strong start but was sent to the bench with four minutes left in the quarter after picking up her second foul. 

UNB was sparked off the bench by the play of second-year guard Colleen Daly with a transition three-pointer that ignited the Currie Center crowd.

The second quarter had a similar plot as the first. UNB struggled from the field as Acadia was packed into a 2-3 zone. 

Kristy Moore continued to push the tempo for Acadia and she paced the Axewomen with 13 points.  Acadia allowed UNB to stay in the game by turning the ball over at key times.  Chelsey Collette, a first year guard from Rothesay, N.B., sparked UNB off the bench with six quick points.

Thanks to some big three-point baskets from Claire Colbourne and Colleen Daly, UNB was able to hang around and trail 34-33 at the half.

After three quarters, the Varsity Reds led by an 11-point margin at 51-40. 

Acadia's injuries to key personnel and lack of depth began to show through as they missed several opportunities in close. 

UNB shuffled players in and out and was able to keep the energy high.  With Claire Colbourne going to the bench with four fouls, Collette stepped in and hit two key jump shots to maintain the lead.

A strong defensive performance allowed the Varsity Reds to hold on for the win, with a final score of 66-60. 

UNB head coach Jeff Speedy said keeping the Axewomen to a low total was the key to the victory.

"Tonight, obviously…a pretty gutsy effort.  We held a high scoring team and two very good offensive players (Abby Duinker and Kristy Moore) to 60 points. We have had a lot of games where we have had to score 86 to win and we can't. We needed to keep the score where it is to win and tonight, we did that."

All games of the 2013 Subway AUS women's basketball championship can be seen live online at www.austv.ca

Source: UNB Sports Information
Photo Courtesy of Zack McKillop