It was a very close and hard fought women’s match between the #3 seed Holland College Hurricanes and the University of New Brunswick – Saint John Seawolves, the #6 seed.
Both teams went back and forth in the first quarter, where Holland lead 19-16 at the end of the quarter. The second quarter was of similar nature, where both teams played stingy defense, attacked the basket, and shared the ball. At the end of the half, both teams were tied 27-27.
Fans who attended the game (or watched online), were treated to a second half that was even better than the first. Holland College stormed out of the gates early in the third quarter to go up six points with five minutes to go. Gabby Fader, a rookie for UNBSJ hit a big three with 4:30 to go to bring the team within three points. Both teams traded baskets throughout the quarter to go onto the final quarter 45-45.
In the final frame, both teams traded leads several times, where Holland College began to pull away, grabbing a five-point lead with four minutes to go. After a few free throws, the Seawolves found themselves down three with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter. A big shot by UNBSJ’s Kathryn Magee with 0:42 seconds left brought the Seawolves within one point. Holland’s Jayla Verney hit a clutch shot from 10-feet out with one second left on the shot clock to put the lead back up to three with 30 seconds left. UNBSJ could not find the bottom of the basket, which lead to Holland College pulling out a close one, 61-57.
Leading scorer for UNBSJ was Megan Baisley, who finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Leading scorers for the Hurricanes were Jayla Verney and Jenna Macinnis, who had 14 a piece.
With this win, Holland College women’s team will advance to the semi-final, where they will face the Mount Allison Mounties at 3 pm on Saturday, March 3rd.