The St. Thomas University Tommies downed the visiting UNB Saint John Seawolves 64-53. The game marked the annual Grad Game and was also Think Pink night at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium.
The Tommies jumped out to an early 21-10 lead after the first quarter, as the ACAA's second leading scorer, Bridget Frazee (Sussex, NB) dropped 6 points to open up the game.
The second quarter belonged to graduating player Lainy Dow (Fredericton, NB) as she hit all three shots she took for 8 points, as the Tommies led at halftime 29-22.
"A little bit emotional, but there was good energy from the team," said Dow about playing in the grad game. "It was a good team effort from all the girls tonight."
"It's the hardest game we play all year," said head coach Fred Connors about playing the Grad Game. "It's an emotional rollercoaster, and we played it on a week night. In 17 years of coaching this team I have never seen one of the teams come in just have a feeling like, let's play the game. Everyone is amped up, and I thought the girls did a really good job on managing that and playing well for Lainy."
The Tommies never looked back after the first half, winning each of the final quarters. Dow led the Tommies with 14 points, and Madison Owens (Fredericton, NB) came close to a double-double with 11 points and 8 rebounds. Emily Fitzpatrick (Miramichi, NB) led the Seawolves with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Kathryn Magee (Saint john, NB) chipped in with 9 points.
The Tommies will finish the regular season in Sackville on February 23rd, taking on the Mount Allison University Mounties with second place in the ACAA standings on the line. The winner will get the first round bye in the ACAA playoffs, while the loser will face the Holland College Hurricanes.
"I'm going to go get supper," said Connors when asked what he will do to get ready for the weekend game against MTA. "We will go to work in practice and get ready. It's only a big game if you make it a big game. At the end of the day we are in the playoffs, and it's just a matter of who we play, and when."
The Seawolves will host the Crandall University Chargers on the 23rd to close out their season.