By Corey LeBlanc

Sydney, N.S. – Led by a monster effort from sophomore forward Kiyara Letlow (Toronto, ON), the hometown Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (6-5) cruised to a convincing 90-47 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers (1-11) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball action at Sullivan Fieldhouse on Friday evening.

In a first quarter of runs, the Capers jumped to an early 9-2 edge, one keyed by back-to-back three-pointers from fifth-year guard MacKenzee Ryan (Glace Bay, NS).

The visitors answered with a 7-0 spurt – highlighted by a sweeping left-handed drive to the hoop by Kelsey Crocker (St. John's, NL) – to knot the contest at 9-9.

CBU replied with a 7-0, including a Leandra Hersey (Quispamsis, NB) basket from three-point land, to give her team a 16-9 advantage.

The low-scoring opening stanza ended with the Capers leading 21-16.

After Ryan tipped off the second quarter with a three-pointer, making it 24-16 for CBU, both teams went stone cold for the next five or so minutes.

While the Tigers continued to struggle offensively, the Capers started to find the range, with a Hannah Smith (Bedford, NS) shot from downtown extending the edge to a game-high 16 points – at 34-18.

Mercy Olugu (Halifax, NS), with five consecutive points – including a lay-up, tried to keep her team within striking distance.

The Capers led 43-23 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Ryan ignited CBU with a handful of sensational assists, with Letlow and Hailey MacLeod (Marion Bridge, NS) the beneficiaries of those passes. The twin towers were dominant, as well, and their side took a 67-34 lead to the fourth quarter.

Despite trailing by a wide margin, the Tigers continued to battle. Once again, Olugu led the charge – with a nifty steal and breakaway lay-in, but the visitors could not get any closer than a deficit in the high 20s.

Olugu led the Tigers with 14 points and three rebounds, while Grace Dalton (Cape Broyle, NL) – off the bench – chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds.

Letlow spurred the Capers with a stellar 22 points and 22 rebounds, while adding three assists and two blocked shots.

Ryan contributed 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three assists, while Chermensa van la Parra (Rotterdam, Netherlands) chipped in 15 points, four assists and three rebounds.

MacLeod, who also meshed 15 points, added six rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Off the Caper bench, Darah Fleurgin (Montreal, QC), finished with six points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal.

The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m., when they travel to Antigonish to face the STFX X-Women.

The Capers return to the court on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m., for a road match-up with the UNB Reds in Fredericton.