Crocker leads Tigers in loss to Huskies

Recap by Lauren Phillips / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics

HALIFAX, NS - Ten different Saint Mary's players scored in the Huskies commanding 95-58 win over the Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday night at the Homburg Centre.

Huskies guard Alaina McMillan (Brampton, ON) was recognized pre-game for hitting the 1,000 career point milestone last week. When the game tipped-off, McMillan made an instant impact and showed how the Huskies play - with fast transition drives, spreading the ball and cleaning the offensive glass. The Huskies maintained a full-game lead over the visiting Tigers as the home team outpaced Dalhousie in every quarter.

The Huskies starters flooded the scoreboard in the first ten minutes, with McMillan and forward Lucina Beaumont (Fredericton, NB) combining for 23 first quarter points, including shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc, as the Huskies opened up a 34-18 lead after the first ten minutes.

The Tigers mounted their strongest offensive comeback in the second quarter, with lead scorers Mercy Olugu (Halifax, NS) and Kelsey Crocker (St. John's, NL) combining for 21 points in the first fifteen minutes of the game to close the Huskies to ten, at 40-30, after a three-pointer from Olugu with under four minutes left in the first half. But McMillan regained control of the pace and set-up Beaumont under the rim for the layup, and Sophia Widmeyer (Dartmouth, NS) for a fading jumper on back-to-back plays to restore the Huskies 14 point lead.

Huskies reserve guard Courtney Donaldson (Kelowna, BC) also helped spark her team in the first half, scoring eight points off the bench, including a buzzer-beating step back jumper, and the Huskies took a 56-36 lead into halftime.

The Tigers made a run to begin the second half, outscoring the Huskies 9-5 over the first five minutes in the third, led by four points from guard Katie Crombeen (Calgary, AB) but again McMillan took control, with seven third quarter points. Guard Aki Kobayashi (Halifax, NS) also provided a spark for the Huskies with a nice lay-in and some great defensive plays. The Huskies ended up outscoring the Tigers 17-15 in the third quarter, and took a 73-51 lead into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, the Huskies bench contributed 14 of their 22 points, led by forward Katelyn Power (Bayside, NS) who scored six and added three rebounds. The Tigers received another four-point quarter from Crombeen, but the Huskies depth proved too much, and Saint Mary's secured the 95-58 win.

Huskies forward Lucina Beaumont (Fredericton, NB) was named Subway Player of the Game with 20 points and nine rebounds. Guard Alaina McMillan chipped in 24 points and five assists, while Courtney Donaldson added 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

The Tigers were led by reserve forward Kelsey Crocker (St. John's, NL) who scored 17 points, while guard Mercy Olugu (Halifax, NS) added 10.

The Huskies second straight win improved their record to 13-5 on the season. They'll be back in action on Friday, Feb. 17, as they host the Cape Breton Capers (8-10) for their final home game of the regular season, tipping-off at 6 p.m. at the Homburg Centre.

The Tigers 11th straight loss drops their record to 1-18 on the campaign. They'll also finish the season at home against Cape Breton, on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.