(Halifax, N.S.) – Well-balanced scoring helped the Saint Mary's Huskies top their cross-town rival Dalhousie Tigers 71-57 on Friday night at the Dalplex.

Huskies guard Kennisha–Shanice Luberisse (Montreal, QC) led the way with 22 points, while four other players also finished with at least 10 points for Saint Mary's. Forward Robertha Charles (Montreal, QC) was the Tigers leading scorer with 17 points, and also finished with a double-double thanks to 10 rebounds.

The first quarter was evenly matched, with the score tied at 16 after the opening 10 minutes.

Eleven players scored at least two points, led by Luberisse with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field. Charles added five points to pace the Tigers.

Saint Mary's grabbed the lead early in the second quarter and didn't relinquish it for the remainder of the half, going into the break up 32-26.

The Huskies play on the defensive end was a critical factor, as they forced seven Dalhousie turnovers and converted six points in transition. Four of those points came from Luberisse, who finished with 18 going into the break.

The Tigers were aggressive on the glass on both ends, but were unable to convert their chances on offence into baskets, shooting just 33.3 percent in the quarter. Charles continued to lead the way for Dalhousie with seven points.

Both teams shot identically in the third quarter – going 6-of-12 from the field as Saint Mary's increased their lead to one heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

The Huskies put the game away in the fourth, on the strength of an 11-2 run down the stretch. Guard Angelina Carvery (Halifax, N.S.) led the way with nine points in the final 10 minutes of play.

Dalhousie would outrebound Saint Mary's 38-34 as a whole and got inspired play from Charles and guard Michele Tchiakoua (Montreal, QC), but were unable to match the visitors offensive production.

With the win, the Huskies advanced to 14-4, while the Tigers fell to 3-15.

Dalhousie is back in action tomorrow, as they host Acadia, while Saint Mary's will be on the road next Friday taking on Cape Breton.