X-Women improve to 9-4 on season with win over Tigers

ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Women used a full 40-minute effort to take down the visiting Dalhousie Tigers 79-58 Saturday evening on Coach K Court.  

The X-Women had a strong first quarter, jumping to a 19-11 advantage in the first 10 minutes. Abby Mercer and Mali Straker each hit a three pointer for the home side, who scored the first seven points of the game. 

Play evened out in the first five minutes of the second quarter, though the X-Women maintained an eight-point lead. Alya White nailed a three-point play with a layup and foul shot to increase the lead to 11, but a three-pointer from Tiger Gracie Dalton narrowed it back down.  

Cairo Henning dropped five quick points for the Tigers as they clawed back into the game, and another triple from Dalton made it a two-point game late in the half, but Mikaela James replied from long range and STFX headed to the locker-room leading with the score 36-31. 

The teams traded buckets early in the third, but a 10-2 run by STFX made it an 11-point game in the final minutes of the quarter. Ofer Caspi hit a late three pointer for X, who switched sides up by 14. 

Dalhousie worked to gain ground in the fourth quarter, but another big run from STFX saw the Blue and White go up by as many as 23 as the X-Women held on for their second win in a row. 

Straker picked up Gabriel Pizza Player of the game honors with 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Shannon Neita posted another double-double with 15 rebounds and 13 points. Dalton led the way for the Tigers with 11 points. 

The X-Women return to action Saturday evening, when they host the Saint Mary's Huskies at 6 p.m. The Tigers visit CBU tomorrow, also at 6.

Tonight's game was the X-Women's annual U SPORTS Shoot for a Cure game for breast cancer awareness and research. Fans interested in supporting the campaign can support the cause with a financial donation online at www.goxgo/ca/shootforthecure.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics