Gaels defeat Huskies 69-54 in U SPORTS Quarterfinal

EDMONTON, AB – U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian Julia Chadwick's 25-point, 27-rebound double-double led the #6 Queen's Gaels to a 69-54 win over the #3 Saint Mary's Huskies in the second quarter-final of the U SPORTS Final 8 at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton, AB.

Schedule & Results

Chadwick's 27 rebounds ties her career-high she set earlier this season, and is the second most ever at a U SPORTS Final 8. Regina Cougar Brittany Read set the record of 29 in 2013.

"Just an incredible performance. She has done that all season for us," said Gaels head coach Claire Meadows. "She has been an absolute monster for us on the boards, and for her to do that in the first game of nationals is pretty impressive.

The Huskies got off to a hot start, with a lay-up from Clara Gascoigne, followed by a nice dish from Alaina McMillan to Marlo Steenbakkers, and a three-pointer from Lucina Beaumont putting them ahead 7-2.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Alaina McMillan drops a dime to Marlo Steenbakkers! Huskies trail Queen's 13-12 after the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/wQkCq1Uwi6

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) March 7, 2024

But the Gaels finished the quarter on a run, with a three-pointer by guard Laura Donovan putting them ahead 13-12 after 10 minutes.

The shots started falling in the second for both teams, with the Huskies and Gaels combining for five three's in the first five minutes, including a pair from Alaina McMillan, the second coming off of a killer crossover.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Alaina McMillan with the nasty crossover into the three! At the half, Gaels lead Huskies 35-30. pic.twitter.com/pn1YNddlVm

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) March 7, 2024

Gaels guard Emma Weltz scored eight of her 16 in the second, with Queen's holding a slim 35-30 lead at the half.

Lucina Beaumont led the Huskies with 15 points, including hitting a three-pointer to put the Huskies ahead 41-40 midway through the third quarter.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Lucy Beaumont gives the Huskies the lead with a three but the Gaels come roaring back to take a 54-43 lead into the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/fN1uPs1cFk

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) March 7, 2024

But the Gaels came roaring back to finish the quarter on a 14-2 run, capped off by a buzzer-beating three from guard Emma Weltz to end the quarter, and give Queen's a 54-43 lead through 30 minutes.

That momentum continued into the fourth quarter, with the Huskies struggling to hit shots, and Chadwick dominating on the interior, and the Gaels coasted to the 69-54 win.

Lucina Beaumont was named Nike Player of the Game with 15 points and four rebounds. Alaina McMillan added 11 points, and guard Clara Gascoigne chipped in nine points and a team-leading nine rebounds.

The quarter-final win for Queen's sets up a OUA Final rematch, as they'll see the Carleton Ravens on Saturday night in the semifinal, scheduled for 8:00 p.m. MST (11:00 p.m. AST).

Saint Mary's will now take on UFV in the first consolation semifinal on Friday night at 5:00 p.m. MST (8:00 p.m. AST).

Players of the Game

Queen's: #7 Emma Weltz
Saint Mary's: #14 Lucina Beaumont