Fredericton, NB - The St Thomas University and the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics played out an Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association classic, as the Tommies came out victorious by a score of 72-68. The game was a fight between two juggernauts of the conference, and the crowd was not disappointed by how the game turned out.
The crowd was treated to an incredible shooting performance by Mystics player, Kelsey Crocker. She only scored five points in the first half and went on to score 25 in the second, giving her a total of 30. She made over half of her shots and was perfect from the free-throw line. It was one of the best shooting performances that the Tommies will see from an opposition player this season.
Crocker's 13 points in the fourth quarter was only eclipsed by Vanessa Soffee (Fredericton, NB), who had 14 points in that quarter and was the driving offensive force for the Tommies. Soffee put on a clinic in the final minutes of the match and made MSVU pay. She scored six of her ten free throws in that time, most of which put STU level and in the lead. She finished the game with 21 points and was perfect with her free throws.
STU head coach, Fred Connors said, "She just made a decision at that point where she needed to take over and she did and it's amazing to have a player with that ability."
On the defensive side of the game, a lot of credit must go to Abby Draper (Ottawa, ON). Draper was a thorn in the side of MSVU for the entire game. MSVU were pulling away towards the middle of the 4th quarter when Draper made an unbelievable block on one of the MSVU players and this was the turning point of the quarter.
The block re-invigorated the crowd and her teammates and got the team over the line. Draper finished the match with an astounding stat line of eight points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
"We know she's very dynamic she can rebound move the ball a very unselfish player and she is tough as nails so it's great to see her healthy," Connors said when praising Draper's performance.
STU's next game will take place on February 26 when they pay a visit to UNBSJ while MSVU's next game is on the same day, and they will host Crandall.
Recap: Brandon Salick