Top-ranked Huskies squeak past Badgers to capture second annual Holiday Classic

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - Two free throws in the final 2:16 of the fourth quarter proved enough for the CIS No. 1-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies to hold off the visiting Brock Badgers 54-52 in the championship final of the second annual CIS Holiday Classic women's basketball tournament Sunday afternoon in Halifax.

Saint Mary's led 16-12 after 10 minutes and 29-21 at half before stretching their lead to 10 points after three quarters 44-34.

Outscored 18-10 in the last frame, SMU guard and tournament MVP Justine Colley and Angela Carvery sank free throws down the stretch to complement back-to-back three pointers from Emily Jameson.

Huskies guard Rachelle Coward made a tough basket to beat the shot clock and rounded out the fourth quarter scoring.

Colley had 24 points, 13 rebounds and was 4-for-8 from beyond three point land. Coward had 15 points and seven rebounds while Jameson chipped in 10 points.

Katrina Murrell added four points with six rebounds and Carvery had one point along with four assists.

Brock's Nicole Rosenkranz had 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Other Badgers scoring were Samantha de Jong and Andrea Polischuk with eight points each. Rosenkranz was named Brock's Player of the Game.

Saint Mary's shot 28.8 percent (17-59) from the floor compared to Brock's 30.4 percent (21-69).

SMU outscored the Badgers 21-6 on three point shots and had five more points from the free-throw line.

Brock held a rebounding advantage 52-47 over the Huskies but SMU had three more assists and one less turnover than Brock.

The top-ranked Huskies return to regular season action January 10 and 11 when they host StFX and UPEI.

Source: Saint Mary's Sports Information