V-Reds Drop Huskies

(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB Varsity Reds scored 21 second quarter points on route to a 58-42 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies, in Halifax, on Friday.

Nicole Esson(Fredericton, NB) led all scorers, coming off the bench to drop 17 points.

"I think we came into it prepared, and I think that showed," said Esson. "We had some adversity with Grace hurting herself, and I think the team really stepped up and really wanted to win it for her."

The Varsity Reds lost senior guard Grace Wade(Moncton, NB) to a knee injury early in the first quarter. The team is still awaiting word on her condition.

"She's, obviously, a huge, key player on our team and I think that everyone came together and said that we want to do it for her and I think it showed," said Esson.

Emily MacLeod(Fredericton, NB) added 14 points while Hannah Currie(Collingwood, ON) pulled down 15 rebounds.

Jasmine Cain(Halifax, NS) and Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse(Montreal, QC) each scored 10 for the Huskies. Luberisse had 10 rebounds too.

Saint Mary's sunk a three-point shot as the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter, taking a 14-11 lead. But the V-Reds exploded during the second, outscoring SMU 21-7.

Esson scored eight of her 17, including a pair of three-pointers.

UNB held SMU to just 9 more in the third quarter.

 "We just stuck to the game plan," said Esson. "We said we wanted to rebound hard and shut down their key players. I think Laura Kaye did a great job on 14(Luberisse), she shut her down the whole game, so I think sticking to the game plan was what won us the game."

The Varsity Reds are now 4-1, good for second in the Atlantic University Sport standings.

The Huskies fall to 2-3.

The Huskies host UNB again on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00pm.

RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics