X-Women hit the AUS win column with 68-56 victory over Panthers

Antigonish, NS - The StFX X-Women (1-10) scored their first win of the Atlantic University Sport basketball regular season - 68-56 - over the visiting UPEI Panthers (4-7) Saturday evening at the Oland Centre.

Sparked by a three-pointer from Carolyn Smith (Montreal, QC) and a pair of interior baskets from Kendra Smith (North Preston, NS), the X-Women led 15-6 after the first five minutes of the game.

After a shot from beyond the arc from Jenna Mae Ellsworth (Charlottetown, PEI), who scored nine points in the quarter, the visitors were behind 15-11.

Of a fast break hoop-and-harm three-point play from Kiera Rigby (Charlottetown, PEI), the Panthers trailed 18-14.

The X-Women led 23-16 after the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, after a trio of three-pointers - one from Chelsea Provo (East Preston, NS) and two from Jamie McCarron (New Glasgow, NS), including a shot clocker beater from almost mid-court, the X-Women led 33-18.

The Panthers answered with a 10-0 spurt, keyed by a spinning lay-up from Jane McLaughlin (Fortune, PE) and an old fashioned three-point play from Rigby, to make it 33-28.

Kim Taylor (Toronto, ON) stopped the UPEI run with a turnaround jumper in the low post.

At halftime, the X-Women led 38-35.

In the third quarter, the X-Women increased their edge to 46-38, after the first five minutes, with Kendra Smith blocking a shot and making a key lay-up.

Heading to the fourth quarter, StFX held a 48-43 advantage.

After a deep three-pointer from Holly Scott (Antigonish, NS) and a McCarron jumper, the X-Women stretched their lead to 55-45 after the first three minutes of the fourth quarter.

Led by five straight points from Ellsworth, including a three, the Panthers made a 7-0 run to make it 55-52 midway through the final stanza. 

After a three-pointer from freshman guard Caroline Hrabinski (Toronto, ON), the X-Women led 63-54 with two minutes remaining in regulation time.

With just over one minute remaining, Provo helped seal the deal with a shot from downtown to make it 66-54.

Subway player of the game Carolyn Smith contributed stellar defense, along with five points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals for the X-Women.

Provo led StFX with 11 points, while adding six rebounds and two steals. Jessica Miller (Mount Denson, NS) also hit double digits with 10 points. 

Korenda Colley (Dartmouth, NS) chipped in eight points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal, while Taylor corralled a game-high 12 rebounds.

Ellsworth, the Panther player of the game, scored a game-high 21 points, while adding six rebounds, four assists and four steals. McLaughlin finished with a double-double - 13 points and 11 rebounds, along with three steals and one blocked shot.

The X-Women will be back on the court Saturday, Jan. 21, when they visit the Memorial SeaHawks in St. John's, NL, for a 6 p.m. NST start.

The Panthers will return to action Friday, Jan. 27, when they host the Acadia Axewomen in Charlottetown. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

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