Huskies claim 2023 AUS women's basketball championship title

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - After a 68-56 win in the AUS final, the Saint Mary's Huskies are champions once again. 

The Huskies (2nd seed) defeated the defending champions, the Acadia Axewomen (1st seed), to win the 2023 Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship. It's the sixth banner in the school's history and first since a run of four straight from 2013-16. 

Once again, it was tournament MVP Alaina McMillan (Brantford, Ont.) leading the charge for Saint Mary's with 20 points, including four three-pointers and a perfect six-for-six from the foul line. 

Saint Mary's Huskies took control in the first quarter, jumping out to a 22-14 lead through 10 minutes of play. A run of eight unanswered points, including a three-pointer and basket from first team all-star Alaina McMillan helped SMU establish control early. 

Both the SMU and Acadia fans seated behind the nets had lots to cheer about in the opening half, with flashy three-point baskets and back-and-forth action on championship Sunday at the Scotiabank Centre.

AUS rookie of the year Bianca Helmig (Speyer, Germany) gave Acadia a spark to start the second quarter, with a three-pointer, steal and a pair of successful free throws.

Acadia's Subway player of the game Lizzie Iseyemi (Dartmouth, N.S.) proved tough to handle late in the half, drawing fouls and making five of six free throws in the last five minutes as Acadia made it a one-possession game. 

The Huskies went to the dressing room with a 33-31 lead after half. Iseyemi led the way for Acadia with five rebounds and nine points while it was McMillan leading the way for SMU with 13 points including going three-for-four from beyond the arc. 

Mirroring the first half, both teams came out strong again, with SMU's second team all-star Sophia Widmeyer (Dartmouth, N.S.) sinking a three before a three from Sandy Saunders (Woodstock, N.B.) started a seven-point run to give Acadia a lead. 

Defending the SMU basket, Aki Kobayashi (Halifax, N.S.)  managed to draw a foul while also getting a standing ovation from the SMU bench and fans. Her teammates responded, with back-to-back three pointers by Courtney Donaldson (Kelowna, B.C) and Sarah Forgie (New Westminster, B.C.) to take a lead. The Huskies entered the final quarter ahead 49-44. 

A three-pointer and jump shot from Huskies second team all-star Sophia Widmeyer (Dartmouth, N.S.) was part of three unanswered baskets from SMU to start the fourth quarter and take a 12-point lead. 

SMU's Subway player of the game, Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, N.S.) showcased why she was the regular season defensive player of the year with a strong performance on both sides of the ball with eight rebounds, six assists and 15 points while limiting Acadia's most dangerous players.

Saint Mary's teammates Clara Gascoigne and Alaina McMillen were both named to the tournament all-star team. Acadia's Haley McDonald (Port Williams, N.S.), Aiden Rainford (Toronto, Ont.) of the UPEI Panthers and Jayda Venoit of the UNB REDS were also named to the all-star team.

Source: Jonathan Briggins for Atlantic University Sport