Strong second half powers X-Women past Tigers

ANTIGONISH, NS - A strong second half with stifling defense powered the STFX X-Women to a 67-40 win over the Dalhousie Tigers on Wednesday night on Coach K Court.

Ten of STFX's players lit up the scoreboard, with rookie and Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game Mikaela James leading the way with 18 points. Ava MacNutt had 12 points, while Shannon Neita had 8 and 16 rebounds.  

Madelyn White had 11 points for the Tigers, while Karina Sarai had 7.  

After a tight first quarter, with Dalhousie holding a one-point advantage, two straight three-pointers from James gave the X-Women a small cushion a few minutes before halftime. The X-Women shot 31% from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes, with James adding another earlier, along with Alya White, who hit two.  

Madelyn White had 11 points in the first half for the Tigers, who pulled ahead in the final minute, thanks to a triple from Sarai. Ava MacNutt hit two late free throws to regain the lead for the X-Women, but Collins Melina hit two of her own and the half ended with Dalhousie up 31-30.  

The X-Women didn't give the Tigers a lot of room in the second half, allowing only 9 points in the final 20 minutes. 

The X-Women dominated the Tigers in the third quarter, knocking down 20 points while holding the visitors to only two. James continued to hit buckets, including two straight layups to end the quarter. An X-Women 9-2 run kicked off the fourth quarter, and the home side held on for the win.  

The X-Women, winners of three straight, next hit the court in Halifax when they visit the Tigers in a rematch on Saturday, November 1, at 6 p.m.   

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper