Tommies Fall to Mystics in ACAA Finals

Halifax, NS - The ACAA Championships returned after a one-year absence due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and it proved to be a classic matchup of long-time rivals and the top two seeds in the ACAA. Top seeded Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics hosted the second seeded St. Thomas University Tommies as both teams qualified after winning their semi-final matchups two days earlier.

Both teams confident they could win the banner and both teams deep with talent wanted to come out strong to set the mood and provide an entertaining game for the fans.

The Mystics and Tommies came out intense but had ball control issue with both teams turning the ball over seven times. The Mystics also had a poor shooting quarter, and the Tommies took advantage of this,  lead by first team all-conference player Vanessa Soffee's 6 points and ended the quarter with a 19-14 lead.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair with both teams playing a physical game but fouls started to make an impact on the players and teams. The Tommies struggled to finish their shots but were able to make it to the free throw line in order to maintain the lead at the half even though the Mystics starting to find their rhythm on offense from behind the arc. Tommies lead by half was down to three and it seemed like the Mystics gained the momentum.

That momentum did carry into the third for the Mystics as they continued to find their open players from behind the three-point line knocking down four three pointers on way to a 24-14 quarter and the lead heading into the final 10 minutes. League MVP Kelsey Crocker led the way with 10 points in the third quarter scoring from inside and outside the three-point line and at the foul line. 

Both teams had players in major foul trouble heading into the final frame so each teams' benches had to step in and help early. Tight defense was the theme for both teams. Contested shots, hard fouls, missed free throws, offensive rebounds, turnovers and intense play was on display as nether team could grab control of the game. The Mystics had built a 10 point lead but struggled to score early in the final frame allowing the stubborn and persistent Tommies to hang around and cut the lead to just 3 points with under a minute to play. The Tommies forced to foul allowed the Mystics to create enough of a lead to overcome the Tommies late attempts to score and as a result the Mystics were crowned champions for the third straight year. Both teams played hard, provided a very entertaining game and should be proud of their efforts. 

The Mystics will travel to Nanaimo, BC to represent the ACAA at the CCAA National Women's Basketball Championships March 25-27th.