Huskies take home opener 81-69 over StFX

(HALIFAX, N.S.) – The CIS No. 1-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies survived a tight first half versus the St. Francis Xavier University X-Women Wednesday night and used a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull ahead 81-69 for the win.

Both teams traded baskets in the first quarter with the X-Women shooting three-for-four from three-point land and held an 18-19 lead.

The X-Women hit a three-pointer to break the deadlock at 28-31 and Saint Mary's guard Rachelle Coward answered right back and drained a long three to tie the game 31-31.

Coward was a perfect three-for-three from beyond the arc and finished with 22 points on the night.

The first half ended with Saint Mary's up by one, 36-35.

The third quarter saw both teams get to the foul-line a combined 24 times with the Huskies making eight of 10 free throws and the X-Women sinking 11 of 14 from the line. The Huskies used a 7-2 run to stretch the lead to 56-52 after 30 minutes of action.

Coward scored four straight points and an X-Women jump shot had the score 60-54 Saint Mary's early to start the fourth quarter.  The Huskies outscored the X-Women 19-16 over the last eight minutes to improve to 3-0 in AUS play.

Saint Mary's forward Laura Langille led all scorers on the night with 27 points, 11 rebounds and was five-for-six from three-point land.  

"StFX is going to be one of our biggest competitions," said Langille on the close first half. "We know every time we're going to play them, it's going to be a good game."

Fifth-year guard Justine Colley added 19 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block.

Also scoring for the Huskies were Becky Nash and Emily Jameson adding four points apiece while Angela Carvery had three points and Katrina Murrell chipped in two points.

Lia St. Pierre led the X-Women, who fall to a 1-3 record, with 24 points on the night.

Each team had 39 total rebounds with the difference being the seven rebounds off the offensive glass for the Huskies.

Langille added, "It's great to have those kinds of games. Those are the fun kind of games so we like those kinds of challenges."

After the game, Huskies head coach Scott Munro addressed his team and reiterated the fact they are dedicating the season to fallen teammate Naomie Fequiere who passed away this past summer in Florida.

Saint Mary's returns to court action Saturday Nov. 16 when they travel to Antigonish for a 2 p.m. tipoff.

Source: Saint Mary's Sports Information