Emma Duinker led Axewomen with 24 points vs SMU

HALIFAX, NS - Senior guard Emma Duinker led the Axewomen basketball team to their eleventh straight victory as they downed the first place Saint Mary's Huskies 83-78 in Halifax, NS.

The 11 game winning streak is the longest in the Axewomen's recent history, dating back 20 years or more and the eleven wins after 12 games is tied with last year's overall season win total of eleven.

Tied at 36-36 at the half, with both teams never pulling away from each other for more than six points, the game opened up in favour of the Axewomen six minutes into the third quarter when Stef Chapman drained a three point shot to give Acadia a 46-40 lead.

The Huskies were able to close the gap at 4:43 when Rebecca Nuttall netted a three pointer to close the gap to 51-54 in the third frame. But in the closing minutes of the third, Emma Duinker sank her third of five baskets from the distant arc to give Acadia a 6 point lead and eventual seven point advantage at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth and final quarter, the Huskies worked back from a 13 point deficit, closing the lead to four points with 24 seconds remaining. A Justine Colley layup with 16 seconds on the clock brought Saint Mary's to within two points. Ensuing foul shots solidified the 83-78 win for for Acadia and slipping the Axewomen into first place.

Colley was limited to her 24 points per game average, while teammate Susan Cavin picked up the slack with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Colley had a game high 13 rebounds.

Acadia's four of five starters reached double digit status with Emma Duinker leading the way with 24 points and a team high 9 rebounds. Sister Abbey notched out 22 points and 5 rebounds, while Kristy Moore and Stef Chapman added 19 and 12 points respectively. Off the bench senior forward Jasmine Parent worked hard for four points.

Acadia only recorded an amazing 8 turnovers, 7 of which were in the first half and stole the ball 10 times, while the Huskies handed over the ball 20 times.

Head coach Bev Greenlaw was supportive of his team's effort. ""As they have all season long, our kids who were not on the court gave magnificent support to their teammates, and we all rode that energy to a very solid third quarter, and our biggest lead of the contest, 65-58", adding, "We played very well to open a decent lead in the 4th quarter, but then got stuck on 76 points for 'way too long, and things got very tight.

"As they have done throughout this season, our Acadia Axewomen dug down deep & responded to everything that was thrown at them by a very talented Huskie team on its homecourt. All in all, a very hardfought, very rewarding TEAM win against a Top 10 calibre team playing well on its home-court".

Both teams meet next Wednesday night in Wolfville for their third battle this season. The Axewomen have won both matches as the Huskies drop to 10-4 with two games in hand, trailing Acadia by two points with 30 in the AUS Standings. Acadia will then head to northern Nova Scotia to visit StFX and Cape Breton as they head for the stretch with five games remaining after their road trip.