(Fredericton, NB) The first rankings for CCAA women's basketball came out this past week and the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics and St. Thomas University Tommies came in at #3 and #13, respectively, and they faced off Saturday afternoon in Fredericton.

It was a great start for the Mystics as they opened the game on a 15-2 run, following a three pointer from Bridget Frazee (Sussex, NB) to open the game. The Tommies countered that with a 10-2 run of their own to make it a 17-15 game at the end of the first quarter.

"It was great, and we were playing out type of basketball," said head coach Fred Connors referencing his team's play in the first quarter. "Staying under control, moving the ball well. We stopped doing that and they went on their run, so we called a timeout and we got together and said let's get back to doing what you're doing and we will be fine. We answered with our run, which is what two good teams should do."

The second quarter had the same storyline as the first, only the Tommies didn't have an answer this time. The Mystics went on a 12-0 run to open the quarter, but the best the Tommies could respond with was trading baskets with them, as MSVU outscored STU 31-17 in the second to take a 48-32 lead into the half.

"We didn't settle into the second quarter. They got out and pressured us and we started passing the balls in ways that we couldn't be successful. They are a great defensive team," said Connors.

The Tommies did their best to stick around, but the Mystics were too much on this day as they came away with the 80-54 victory.

MSVU was led by Maria Carrol, who had 19 points, and Nikki Arsenault, who flirted with a double-double of 16 points and 9 assists

Lainy Dow paced the Tommies as she also flirted with a double-double, finishing with 21 points and 8 rebounds, both game highs. Frazee chipped in with 13 points.

The Tommies will be on the road to Sackville on Sunday to face the MTA Mounties, while MSVU heads to Moncton to face the Crandall Chargers.