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Capers and Huskies to meet in Sunday's AUS women's final

Kelsey Hodgson

The Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY - It will be basketball's present against its future when the Cape Breton University Capers and Saint Mary's Huskies collide for the Atlantic University Sport women's hoops title Sunday at Sullivan Field House.

Fifth-year guard Kelsey Hodgson led her Capers with 28 points in a 61-56 semifinal win over the Dalhousie Tigers, Saturday. Rookie guard Justine Colley of the Huskies followed that up with a 38-point performance in their 77-56 triumph over the Memorial Sea-Hawks in Saturday's late semi.

The Capers will look to repeat as AUS champions and will look for their fourth title. The Huskies wil try to win for the first time since 1976-77, the only time they've won the event.

Cape Breton 61, Dalhousie 56
In the Capers win, CBU trailed 27-24 at halftime and failed to hold a lead in the game until the second half. But it was the third quarter when Hodgson, who scored only three points in the first half, came to life and took the game over.

She netted 17 points alone in the third and her three-point rain of pain ignited CBU. The Capers outscored the Tigers 37-29 the rest of the way.

"I think I missed every open shot I had in the first half, so I wasn't impressed with myself," said Hodgson, who shot 9-of-22 from the floor and 4-of-10 from the arc. "(Assistant coach and former Caper Maureen Murrin) gives you a little inspiration because she's been there before and she was in her fifth year when I was in my first, so she was there for a little motivational talk."

Kari Everett followed with 12 points for CBU, while Stephanie Toxopeus was huge on the glass with a game-high 11 rebounds — eight of which in the Tigers end.

"Part of this environment when you have the bye, you have to go through the first half like that," said Capers head coach Fabian McKenzie, referring to the raucous crowd. "Last week against St. FX, that was a great teaching thing with us because we went through the same thing with such a great crowd.

"We let ourselves get out of whack a little bit a few stretches during the game, but for the most part, we were focused. Kudos to Dal, they were prepared, battled with a lot of heart and played us really tough all year."

Rachael Harrison replied with 18 for the Tigers, while April Scott scored 12 and Leah Girdwood added 10.

Saint Mary's 77, Memorial 56

Along with Colley's 38 points, Laure Pitfield scored 16 and Kelsey Daley added 10 in the triumph. The Huskies held a 34-25 advantage at halftime.

Victoria Thistle fired 18 points for the Sea-Hawks in the loss. Grace Fishbein chipped in 10 as well.

The winner of Sunday's game will advance to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship at McMaster University, March 12-14.