McMillan’s game-winning free throws cap Huskies 81-79 comeback win over Axewomen

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's guards Alaina McMillan and Clara Gascoigne each scored 20 points, with McMillan making two free-throws with 0.3 seconds remaining in regulation to deliver the Huskies a thrilling 81-79 comeback win over the Acadia Axewomen in Atlantic University Sport women's basketball action, Saturday night in Wolfville, N.S.

With the game tied 79-79, McMillan rebounded a missed shot by Axewomen guard Samantha Russell (Dartmouth, NS) and heaved up a halfcourt prayer, being fouled and making two of three free-throws with just 0.3 seconds remaining in regulation to clinch the comeback win.

In the early going, the Axewomen appeared to be determined to take down the Huskies after losing the previous three matchups, including 76-63 at the Homburg Centre on Thursday night. Samantha Russell's jump shot gave Acadia an early 11-3 lead. But the Huskies responded with back-to-back threes from guards Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, NS) and Alaina McMillan (Brantford, ON).

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Alaina McMillan banks in the deep three! Axewomen lead the Huskies 30-17 after the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/tcWsEXkbCR

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 10, 2024

Later in the quarter, a lay-in from Huskies guard Courtney Donaldson (Kelowna, BC) gave Saint Mary's their first lead, 17-16. But the Axewomen responded with a 14-0 run, including six points from league-leading scorer Elizabeth-Ann Iseyemi (Dartmouth, NS), and opened up a 30-17 lead heading into the second quarter.

The second quarter saw the Huskies climb back gradually, with back-to-back lay-ins from Huskies forward Chloe Wilson (Dartmouth, NS), cutting the lead to 46-43. Axewomen forward Julia Sylvester (Dundas, ON) hit a jump shot – two of her 10 first half points – to push the lead back up to 48-43, but McMillan responded with a putback lay-in just before the first half buzzer, to cut the Acadia lead to 48-45 at the half.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Chloe Wilson doing work down low! Six straight points for the Huskies forward helps cut the Acadia lead to 48-45 at the half! pic.twitter.com/km31SLppfT

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 10, 2024

The Axewomen were led in the first half by 12 points from Iseyemi, 11 points from Russell and 10 points from Sylvester, as they shot 50% as a team from the field and three. The Huskies were led by 11 points from McMillan and 10 points from Donaldson.

In the opening moments of the third quarter, Donaldson and McMillan made lay-ups, and a three-pointer from Gascoigne restored the Huskies lead 52-50. But the Axewomen battled back, with a three-pointer from wing Lisa Bolander (Uppsala, Sweden), followed by an Iseyemi lay-in giving the home team a 65-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Alaina McMillan with a tough drive to the hoop! Axewomen lead 65-63 heading into the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/TaXT3tpwzc

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 10, 2024

The fourth quarter began with a three-and-a-half minute scoring drought, as both teams tightened up defensively, with a pair of free-throws from Bolander finally snapping the scoreless streak and putting the Axewomen up 67-63. After Iseyemi and McMillan traded baskets, a Samantha Russell three-pointer put the Axewomen up 73-67 with just over five minutes remaining.

With less than four minutes remaining, back-to-back three pointers from Donaldson and Gascoigne tied the game at 75-75. Iseyemi scored two more baskets, with a single free-throw by Gascoigne sandwiched in between, and the Axewomen led 79-76, with possession of the ball in the final minute. After Iseyemi missed a three-pointer, Gascoigne found forward Lucina Beaumont (Fredericton, NB) open in the corner for a clutch three, tying the game at 79-79 with 10 seconds remaining.

It appeared the Axewomen would get the last shot, but a straight away three-point attempt from Russell rimmed out. With under three seconds remaining, McMillan corralled the rebound and sprinted towards half court, firing up a prayer of a shot but being fouled by Bolander. The senior guard calmly stepped to the free-throw line and made the first two shots, before intentionally missing the second, and the Huskies held on to a thrilling 81-79 victory.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

HUSKIES WIN A CRAZY ONE! Alaina McMillan with the rebound and hits two free-throws to deliver the comeback 81-79 Huskies win over the Axewomen! pic.twitter.com/bGCqa9zgtM

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 11, 2024

Alaina McMillan was named Player of the Game with 20 points and seven assists. Clara Gascoigne chipped in a season high 20 points and seven assists, while Courtney Donaldson poured in 18.

The Axewomen were led by Iseyemi's 25 point, 10 rebound double-double, while Russell (16 points), Bolander (14 points) and Sylvester (12 points) also cracked double figures.

The Huskies seventh win improves their record to 15-3, strengthening their lead a top the AUS standings. Saint Mary's will finish the season on the road as they visit the Memorial Sea-Hawks (9-9) on Friday and Saturday, with both games scheduled to tip-off at 5:30 p.m. AST.

The Axewomen second straight loss drops their record to 12-6 on the season, third in the conference. Acadia will finish the regular season with a home-and-home against the UNB REDS (14-4), Wednesday night in Wolfville and Saturday afternoon in Fredericton.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Peter Oleskevich / Acadia Athletics