Axewomen take control in second quarter to hand Huskies a loss

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Haley McDonald's 32 points gave the U SPORTS No. 4 ranked Acadia Axewomen an 89-49 win over the AUS's second-place Saint Mary's Huskies in a rescheduled game from early January.

Haley, named the Subway Player of the Game, netted six three-point shots and added 10 made three throws to help catapult the Axewomen to a big win against the rival Huskies.

"We just wanted to move the ball to give everyone touches. I think it was really important that we locked down defensively. I think everyone did their job. We each had specific things we had to do and I think everyone executed it really well," said McDonald following the win.

McDonald had a season-high 10 of 12 free throws made to add to her game-high scoring. "People are going to rush me at the three-point line, so it is really important to give them an up-fake and get to the hoop or dish it to my teammates, because they are always in the right position," pointed out McDonald.

Trailing the Huskies 16-12 after one-quarter of play, the Axewomen strung together two 8-0 runs that led to a 45-30 halftime Acadia advantage.

McDonald's 11 points in the second quarter were followed by 14 more points in the third quarter.

The Huskies were a dismal 25.4% from the floor and 12.5% from the three-point line and produced 21 turnovers compared to the Axewomen's 12.

The Huskies largest lead of the game came in the opening minutes of the second quarter of six points.

Shanieka Wood led the Huskies with 13 points and nine rebounds and was named Saint Mary's Player of the Game. Jasmine Cain added 10 points, while Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse pulled down six rebounds and netted nine points.

The smallest woman on the court led the Axewomen in rebounds. Paloma Anderson added nine boards to her 18 points. Allie Berry and Katie Ross had seven rebounds each and seven and nine points respectively.

Chanel Smith, who sits second in career three-point shots made, added two more to her 115 along with 10 points. Smith has 117 threes, 39 behind record holder Emma Duinker with 156.

The Axewomen, who improve to 14-1, head to Halifax next Friday to take on the Huskies again in another 4-point game. Acadia returns home Saturday, February 10 against Cape Breton. Saint Mary's, who drop to 9-5, remain in second place in the AUS standings and travel to StFX next Tuesday night for a 4-point game.