(FREDERICTON, N.B.) The UNB Varsity Reds tamed the Tigers, in dominating fashion, taking the first of a two-game weekend series 67-52.

Rachel Cleary led the Varsity Reds with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Hannah Currie had an impressive night, coming off the bench to score 11 points, giving the VReds an added boost.

AUS female athlete of the week Tessa Stammberger was held to only nine points, going 2-of-8 from the field. 

UNB jumped out to a 6 point lead in the first two minutes. They dominated the paint, picking up 12 of their 24 first quarter points in the paint, and held the Tigers to only 23-percent shooting.

"We talked before the game about really focusing on us and not our opponent and coming out and doing what we wanted to do," said Varsity Reds head coach Jeff Speedy. "I certainly thought, offensively, that whole first quarter we were really clicking and playing confidently and intelligently."

Dalhousie came out of the break on a 5-0 run and managed to bring the game within nine points, but multiple defensive stops by the Varsity Reds kept the Tigers at bay in the second quarter.

Currie's good night continued to, according to Speedy. "Hannah could probably start on a lot of teams in our league, if not all of them. We're not going to win too many games in which she's not a big part of it, and she was tonight for sure."

After half-time, UNB extended their lead. Nicole LaFleur ignited from outside the arc, scoring back-to-back threes out of the gate. 

The Tigers clawed their way back within 10 after some costly turnovers, but UNB's passing and work on the boards quickly got them back in control. Sophie Gaube led the Tigers with 10 points in the game, while Ainsley MacIntyre had seven points and four rebounds.

UNB dominated the night in the rebound category 46-21. The Varsity Reds finished with 30 points in the paint, scoring 19 on second chance opportunities.

"That's what they were giving us inside, whether it was a guard off the dribble or the big, we'll take what they give us, not necessarily what they want," said Speedy.

UNB and Dal face off again tomorrow at the Richard J. Currie Center. Tip off is at 6:00PM.

BY – MICHAEL BOURGEOIS, FOR UNB ATHLETICS