Donaldson scores 30 as REDS defeat Huskies 82-73 in Fredericton
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Mary's (8-3, 8-3) | 16 | 23 | 22 | 12 | 73 |
|
UNB (11-1, 11-1) | 21 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 82 |
FREDERICTON, NB - Despite a season-high 30 points from Huskies guard Courtney Donaldson, the UNB REDS defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 82-73 in Atlantic University Sport Women's Basketball action on Saturday night at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.
The first quarter began with both teams showing why they're the top two seeds in the AUS standings.
REDS guard Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) commanded the floor, draining a three-point shot from the top of the arch, giving the REDS a 13-6 lead at 6:39.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 13, 2024
Clara Gascoigne with the steal and score! Huskies trail the REDS 13-8 midway through the first quarter.
Watch live: https://t.co/lQJJaiExEz pic.twitter.com/F9aBIg2Jkg
The opening quarter would finish with the REDS in the lead 21-16.
In the second quarter, Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) took over, making a buzzer-beating layup, muscling through two Huskies defenders, and following up a few minutes later with a three-point basket which pushed the lead to 39-28.
But the Huskies weren't going to go away quietly.
Aliyah Fraser (New Glasgow, NS) made an impressive three-pointer off a block that gave her lots of room to shoot. Fraser would start a nine-point run for Saint Mary's where they'd catch the REDS, finishing the half tied 39-39.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 13, 2024
Great ball movement results in the easy lay-in for Katelyn Power! Huskies and REDS all tied up 39-39 at the half! pic.twitter.com/O7SrvqLUu1
The third quarter closed with the Huskies in the lead, 61-59.
A composed REDS team knew what it was going to take to defeat the Huskies, and they did exactly that.
Each team took turns holding the lead, however the REDS duo of Speedy and Leah Travers (Calgary, AB) would push the REDS to an advantage that the Huskies couldn't chase.
The pair would take turns smashing three-point shots halfway through the quarter, getting the REDS lead to 71-65.
UNB captured the 82-73 lead with Speedy contributing six three-point shots and 22 points. Erin Ingalls (St. George, NB) had 15 rebounds, and Veinot finished the night with 24 points.
Courtney Donaldson (Kelowna, BC) led the Huskies with 30 points.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 13, 2024
Courtney Donaldson having a night! She's got a game-high 24 points as the Huskies lead the REDS 61-59 heading into the fourth quarter! pic.twitter.com/ftUAovFnyV
With the win, UNB remains atop of the AUS standings and is now 11-1. The REDS are on the road next weekend, taking on the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm Atlantic.
The Huskies fall to 8-3 and are now tied with Acadia for second place in the AUS standings. The Huskies are back at home this weekend, hosting the Cape Breton Capers (5-7) for a pair of games at Homburg Centre on Friday and Saturday, with tip-off at 6 p.m. GET TICKETS
Recap by: Madison Tucker/UNB Athletics
Photos by: James West/for UNB Athletics
