Did someone say pre-season?
It seemed anything but on Saturday afternoon in Moncton as the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association finished its pre-season in impressive style.
A back-and-forth physical encounter saw the visiting Fredericton use strong first and fourth quarters to turn back host Moncton Mystics in front of 340 fans at Harrison Trimble High School.
The visitors roared out to a 21-14 lead after a frame before Moncton found its footing, erupting to an 11-0 run at one point and would take a 34-31 lead into halftime.
Moncton’s Kelly Vass would drain a three-pointer as the Mystics forged ahead 49-46 through 30 minutes, sparking a Freeze comeback that would result in an eventual 69-59 win, Fredericton pumping 23 fourth quarter points.
Katie Butts scored 19 to spark the Freeze. Eva Tumwine had 13 and Leah Bowers popped 10.
Lia St. Pierre fired in 16 for the Mystics. Leo Elbert had 13, all of them in the first half.
The pre-season is over now as teams prepare to open the season next weekend.
Fredericton visits Port City Fog at University of New Brunswick at Saint John on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Freeze returns the favour Sunday at Fredericton High School at 1 p.m. while reigning champion Halifax Hornets visit Windsor Edge on Sunday.
