By Corey LeBlanc, CBU Athletics
Sydney, N.S. – On the strength of a dominant fourth quarter, the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (2-0) cruised to a 78-56 victory over the visiting Dalhousie Tigers (0-2) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball action on Saturday night at Sullivan Fieldhouse.
"We wanted to get two wins at home to start the season," Subway player of the game Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, N.S.) said after the game, when asked about her aggressive approach from the opening whistle, one that she carried throughout the contest.
The sophomore forward fashioned a double-double – 26 points and 13 rebounds – to lead the charge for the Capers.
In a back-and-forth opening quarter, MacLeod was stellar as her team took a 22-13 advantage after 10 minutes.
"I wanted to come out and work hard," she says, noting her focus on "getting a lot of rebounds."
Despite only shooting 18 per cent from the field in the first stanza, the Tigers remained within striking distance.
In a low-scoring, foul-filled second quarter, Dalhousie outscored CBU 13-10, but trailed 32-26 heading to the locker room at halftime.
Much like the second, there were few points in the third quarter – the Capers held an 18-15 edge and took a 50-41 lead to the final 10 minutes.
With the first four points of the fourth quarter, MacLeod stretched the CBU advantage to 54-41.
Keyed by a three-pointer from Chloe Wilson (Dartmouth, N.S.), the Tigers answered with a quick 7-2 spurt to narrow the score to 56-48, but the visitors got no closer.
When Ava Prosser (Johnstown, ON) chased down a loose ball and made a perfect dish to Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON) for a basket, the CBU lead ballooned to 65-50.
Moments later, on an old-fashioned three-point play from Letlow, the Capers were in full control at 69-52.
In the home stretch, MacLeod brought the home crowd to its feet with a gliding right-handed layup that made it a 20-point margin at 76-56.
For the Capers, Letlow also finished with a double-double – 14 points and 12 rebounds – while veteran point guard MacKenzee Ryan chipped in 12 points, four rebounds and six assists.
"Everyone contributed this weekend and that is what we are going to need to be successful," MacLeod said.
Hannah Chadwick led three Tigers in double figures, with 15 points, while adding five rebounds. Katie Crombeen added 12 points and Wilson contributed 10. The latter tandem also chipped in six and seven rebounds, respectively.
The Tigers will return to the hardwood next weekend, tipping off their home schedule – on Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6 – when they host the defending conference champion UPEI Panthers.
Game time for both matchups is 6 p.m.
The Capers will head to St. John's for matchups versus the host Memorial Sea-Hawks on Saturday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 7, at 5:30 p.m. (ADT) and 12:30 (AST), respectively.