StFX outlasts Acadia for key four-point hoop victory

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - Antigonish native Melissa Gottschall scored a career-high 15 points, including the game-winning three-pointer, as the StFX X-Women (8-9) defeated the Acadia Axewomen (5-12) 69-65 in AUS basketball action Friday evening at Oland Centre.

The Subway Player of the Game added one rebound and one steal, along with a couple of late defensive gems as the visitors tried to mount a comeback.

"It was a great win for us. It was a tight game, but we were able to get the win," Shannon Hatch of the X-Women said after the game.

Hatch, in her first season, scored a career-best 11 points, while adding six rebounds and two steals.

StFX held Acadia to nine points in the pivotal fourth quarter. "We really stepped up our defence and everyone contributed," Hatch said.

After Abby Duinker, who had a game-high 24 points, hit a three-pointer to give her team a 61-53 advantage, the X-Women closed the contest on a 16-4 run.

Veteran guard Rebecca Sheehan scored nine points, while adding eight assists, four rebounds and four steals for StFX, while her backcourt mate Lia St. Pierre chipped in nine points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Freshman Kimberley Taylor had seven points and nine rebounds, including two late offensive ones to help the rally. 

For Acadia, Duinker five rebounds and two steals, while Rachel Savage and Emily MacLeod contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Alexandra Berry notched a game-high 12 rebounds for the Axewomen.

The X-Women led 34-30 at halftime.

Sheehan led the blue and white with seven points, three rebounds, four assists and one steal.

Off the bench, guard Gottschall contributed six points, while St. Pierre added five points, five rebounds three assists and two steals.

"It was a really tight first half; it was back and forth," X-Women freshman guard Alana Lawn said at halftime. "We have to put the foot on the gas in the second half," she added.

The Axewomen shot 5-for-9 from three-point land in the first half, including two apiece from April Deus and Rachel Savage.

Duinker led Acadia with seven points in the opening 20 minutes, while Alexandra Berry contributed seven rebounds.

The X-Women will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 15, when they host the Dalhousie Tigers in their final home game of the regular season. Game time is 6 p.m. at Oland Centre.