Two teams sharing a city met for local bragging rights as the opening week of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association continued Tuesday night.
The all-Halifax battle between the host Thunder and visiting Hornets unfolded at Saint Mary’s University in front of a sizable crowd.
It was the season opener for the Thunder which didn’t disappoint, posting an 82-69 win over the reigning Legacy Cup champions.
The Hornets fell to 1-1 on the young season.
Tiffany Reynolds sparked the Thunder with a game-high 19 points. Vanessa Pickard dropped 17 and Karissa Kajorinne, who spent the winter playing professionally in Portugal, popped 16. Anna von Maltzahn added nine in a balanced Thunder attack.
Hannah Brown powered the Hornets with 13 points. Jasmine Parent scored 12 and Courtney Donaldson added 11.
The Hornets carried a 24-19 lead into the second quarter, but the Thunder counted 24 of its own in a pivotal second quarter to carry a 43-36 lead into recess.
Hornets entered play on the heels of a 92-69 road win over Windsor Edge on Sunday.
One other game this week unfolds in Moncton as the hometown Mystics make their season debut against Port City Fog of Saint John, a 7 p.m. start at Harrison Trimble High School.
Port City comes in 1-1 after an opening weekend split with the Fredericton Freeze, each team winning at home.
Fredericton hosts the entire MWBA on the weekend with six games on tap.
– Sophia Widmeyer drives against Thunder’s Anna von Maltzhan (DWinston Photo)
