They came in as the No. 1 seed.
They left as champions.
University of New Brunswick Reds captured the Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball conference championship in stellar fashion Sunday in Halifax, downing University of Prince Edward Island Panthers, 84-59.
UNB now represents the AUS at the Bell USPORTS Final 8 at Universite de Laval early next month.
Kylee Speedy exploded for 28 points in the final game to spark UNB. Katie Butts, who was named tournament MVP, had 17 points and 14 rebounds in the final. Speedy drilled 20 of her game-high total in the second half. Ann Bastien had six assists for UNB.
Grace Lancaster and Devon Lawlor had 14 points apiece for UPEI.
Lancaster and Lawlor all played for Maritime Women’s Basketball Association champion Miramich Her-Icanes last season. Speedy, Butts and Bastien are former members of the MWBA’s Fredericton Freeze.
Butts, Speedy, Lancaster and Bianca Helmig of Acadia University Axewomen were named tournament all-stars. Helmig played last season with the MWBA’s Halifax Thunder.
The Reds earned their conference-leading 29th AUS banner with the win.
UNB celebrates its 29th AUS banner Sunday in Halifax. (AUS Photo)
