Opposite ends of the spectrum entering the game.
That’s why you play.
The heavily-favoured Miramichi Her-Icanes, who finished 8-2 this season, had their hands full Saturday night in front of a packed playoff house against Saint John’s Port City Fog which entered the contest after a 1-9 regular campaign.
Didn’t matter.
Port City closed to within three with 14 seconds to play, but had to foul, putting hands on reigning Maritime Women’s Basketball Association MVP Lauren Rainford, who calmly knocked down both free throws to put the game out of reach, eventually earning a 64-59 in the sudden-death New Brunswick semifinal.
Miramichi advances to its first-ever PRO•LINE Legacy Cup championship next weekend in Fredericton at the Richard J. Currie Center.
The Her-Icanes will face the Halifax Thunder next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in semifinal play.
Rainford finished her night with 19 points. Grace Lancaster added 14 and Devon Lawlor hit for a Baker’s Dozen. Abby Miller cashed eight.
Mali Straker popped 14 to spark Port City. Amelia Mitchell had a dozen, Erin Ingalls 11 and McKinley Bezanson eight.
Regular season champion Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour will face the winner of Sunday night’s clash between host Fredericton Freeze and Moncton Mystics.
That game goes at 7 p.m. at Fredericton High School to secure the final entrant.