The first games between provincial rivals unfolded in Halifax and Saint John on Thursday.
Neither game disappointed as the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association continued to play in front of packed houses as Week II gave us some more goosebumps.
In Saint John, a capacity crowd which included a fired-up high school band, the visiting Fredericton Freeze never trailed after falling behind 3-2 early and withstood a furious Port City Fog comeback in the second half to earn a 60-55 win.
The game was played at Saint John High School.
At Saint Mary’s University, a similar scene unfolded as host Halifax Thunder appeared in control down the stretch and needed everything in the tank to subdue Windsor Edge, 66-62.
Thunder remains perfect on the season at 3-0. Windsor fell to 1-2. The Freeze improved to 2-1 and Port City slipped to 0-3.
The league breaks for the Victoria Day Weekend. It returns to action next week at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax with all six teams playing under one roof.
At Saint John, with the Harbour View High School band blasting We Will Rock You at various points of the second half, the Fog appeared poised to come back, but couldn’t close the gap.
Katie McAffee had 15 points to spark Fredericton. Grace Simpson had 10 including eight free throws in the fourth quarter.
Reese Baxendale, quiet the opening half, poured in 15 second half points to spark the Fog. Former professional Kaylee Kilpatrick dropped 10.
A large crowd also poured into the Saint Mary’s gym to watch the Thunder rumble to its third straight, using a balanced offence to turn back the Edge.
Haley McDonald scored 15 for Halifax. Justine Colley-Leger, marking a return to the house she dominated as a university star, had 11 in her homecoming. Laura Langille scored nine.
Tiffany Reynolds paced Windsor with 21 points. Karissa Kajorinne had 20 and Sidney Foran scored nine.
– Haley McDonald (Jodi Brown Photo)
