X-Women in tough against out-of-conference opponents

The StFX X-Women basketball faced their first real test of the year this past weekend at the Don Grant Classic in Moncton, NB, finishing with a 1-2 record in pre-season exhibition action. The X-Women played three games over three days, which included a win against UPEI (76-56) and two losses to Laval (67-66) and Saskatchewan (73-63).

Friday's opener was a good taste of AUS action as the X-Women got their first look at the young UPEI Panthers. In a well balanced team game, Player of the Game Kirsten Jones was the leader, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds and two steals while Anne Kiberd chipped in with 13 points. Donisha Young was big on the glass, gathering 15 rebounds, while Rebecca Sheehan contributed 12 points, five rebounds and three steals in the 76-56 win. The Panthers showed that they could hang with the X-Women for a few quarters, but in the end the defensive power of StFX prevailed.

Saturday was a heartbreaking day for the X-Women as they dropped a one point decision to Laval 67-66. The X-Women missed 10 lay-ups throughout the game and made 13 of 24 free-throws which proved to be costly. The X-Women fought hard, coming back from a nine point deficit heading into the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.

Vanessa Pickard received Player of the Game honors and led the team with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists along with three blocks and steals, while Kirsten Jones posted another double-double on the season, netting 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Sheehan scored 14 points in the game and Young netted 11.

Sunday was a chance to bounce back for the blue and white, but unfortunately the tired team couldn't muster out a win against the Saskatchewan Huskies as they were beat in the rebounding category 40-24 and quieted on the offensive end as the Huskies took the 73-63 victory.

Spencer Lockhart was the Player of the Game for StFX finishing with 12 points and five rebounds, while Donisha Young finished with 14 points. Kiberd added 11 points and Pickard 10.

Coach Skinn pointed out the positives of the weekend and insisted that this was a good test for his young team moving forward. “The weekend was a great litmus test for our team against some of the best competition in the country,” says Skinn.

“It now allows us to refocus as we prepare for AUS play, and look for ways to improve - and we need to improve. We did not compete the way we needed to for 40 minutes of each game. Our sense of urgency needs to increase for 40 minutes, and we need everyone to step into the roles that we are continuing to establish as the year progresses."

Skinn insists that his team will not go backwards now, but will instead build from the weekend and look to come out ready for the regular season. “There were some positives this weekend, but overall, our goal was to win every game. Since we didn't accomplish that goal, we need to take a step back, evaluate what we did well, and where we need to improve. Hopefully, over the next few weeks as we prepare for our regular season, the team will focus on what it takes to become a good team on a daily basis.”

The X-Women next see action when they host Waterloo on Sunday, October 30th in pre-season out-of-conference action at the StFX Oland Centre at 11:00 am. They will then have the following weekend off before AUS regular season play begins on November 9th with StFX hosting rival Cape Breton in Antigonish.