One team bend, but didn’t break.
Another team found some offensive range on the road.
A tale of two games in two cities as the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association kicked off Week V on Saturday.
The hometown Fredericton Freeze came flying out of the gate, gave up the lead, but found life and posted a physical 85-80 decision over visiting Halifax Hornets in New Brunswick’s Capital City.
In New Brunswick’s oldest city, Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston were on fire offensively and turned aside host Port City Fog of Saint John, 88-67.
In Fredericton, the Freeze exploded out of the gate and built a 12-point lead early before watching Halifax Hornets find their game, clawing back into thing and taking a 48-44 lead into halftime. Halifax clung to a 67-65 edge after 30 minutes, but Fredericton outscored its guest, 20-13 to even its slate to 3-3.
Hornets fell to 5-2.
Bailey Russell scorched her way to 23 points including four three-pointers. Allie McCarthy was instrumental in the second half, pouring in 17 of her 22 points. Ann Bastien had 17 and Maheva Ngassam 15.
Samantha Russell sparked Halifax with 16 points. Lily Francois had 11 and Chloe Wilson and Maddy Hiscock had 10 apiece.
In Saint John, Lake City had a 41-35 halftime edge, but erupted in the second half, showing no signs of road legs to move its record to 4-4 while Fog fell to 3-4.
Olivia Logan hit for a dozen to guide the Sixers. Lillian Fuller scored eight.
Fredericton returns home Sunday to meet the 56ers at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium at 12:30 p.m.
Hornets go down Highway 7 to face Port City at 1 p.m., at St. Malachy’s.
Another 1 p.m., game unfolds in Truro when the Tidal Queens (0-7) greet Halifax Thunder (6-0) at Dal Agricultural College.
The final game of the day is in Moncton when the Mystics (5-2) greet Miramichi HerIcanes (2-6) at 3 p.m., at Crandall University.
– Fredericton’s Kristen Taylor catches some air against Halifax Hornets. (Fran Harris Photo)
