Huskies stay perfect with 71-51 over Sea-Hawks

ST. JOHN'S, NL – Saint Mary's guard Clara Gascoigne tied her career high with 23 points, helping lead the Huskies to a 71-51 win over the Memorial Sea-Hawks in Atlantic University Sport women's basketball action on Friday night at the Memorial Fieldhouse in St. John's, NL.

It was the Sea-Hawks who got off to a strong start, with guard Alyssa Jenkins (St. John's, NL) scoring six early points to help the home team open up an early 9-6 lead in the first quarter. But in typical Huskies fashion, they responded by locking down defensively and getting going in transition, finishing the quarter on an 11-0 run, with guard Clara Gascoigne (Dartmouth, NS) leading the way with eight first quarter points as the Huskies took a 17-11 lead into the second quarter.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Back-to-back buckets for Lucy Beaumont and Clara Gascoigne! Huskies lead the Sea-Hawks 17-11 after the first quarter! pic.twitter.com/5xuZPr6fFH

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 25, 2025

Huskies guard Aki Kobayashi (Osaka, Japan) took over the opening minutes of the second quarter, scoring three straight baskets to open up a 23-14 advantage. The Sea-Hawks cut into the lead, with guards Eavan McLaughlin (Fredericton, NB) and Brooke LeDevehat (Mount Pearl, NL) each scoring six points in the frame, but the Huskies showed their depth with guards Molly Healy (St. John's, NL) and Julia Black (Halifax, NS) scoring off the bench, and the Huskies held a 38-26 lead at the half.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

First year guard Molly Healy hits a three against her hometown team! Huskies lead 38-26 at the half! pic.twitter.com/WBnDBwWZCm

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 25, 2025

The Huskies continued to add to their lead in the third quarter, with five quick points from Clara Gascoigne. A three from Memorial's Brooke LeDevehat cut the lead to 45-40, but Saint Mary's responded on an 8-0 run, including back-to-back threes from Gascoigne and Kobayashi.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Clara Gascoigne begins the third quarter with five quick points to open up a 15-point lead! pic.twitter.com/59rPPvdqqO

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 25, 2025

With under a second remaining in the third quarter, forward Marlo Steenbakkers (Ottawa, ON) hit a buzzer-beating jump shot, giving the Huskies a 58-43 lead into the final frame.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Marlo Steenbakkers hits a buzzer beater to end the third quarter with a 58-43 Huskies lead! pic.twitter.com/nkagns4NkN

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 25, 2025

The fourth quarter saw the Huskies lead continue to grow, including contributions off the bench from forwards Evie Hargraves (Saint John, NB) and Marlo Steenbakkers. But it was the Huskies defence that was the star of the fourth quarter, as they held the Sea-Hawks to just eight points on 1/13 shooting from the floor, holding on for the 71-51 victory.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Clara Gascoigne hits for three more! The two-time @AUS_SUA defensive player of the year showed she can score too, tying her career high with 23 points as the Huskies improve to 13-0 with a 71-51 win over the Sea-Hawks! pic.twitter.com/WWVzl1bEsd

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 25, 2025

Clara Gascoigne was named player of the game, tying her career high with 23 points on 9/14 shooting from the field, and adding seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Aki Kobayashi chipped in 18 points, five assists and two steals, and Lucy Beaumont added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Sea-Hawks were led in defeat by guards Alyssa Jenkins (12 points, seven rebounds), Eavan McLaughlin (11 points, eight rebounds) and Brooke LeDevehat (11 points, five rebounds).

The Huskies win improves their record to 13-0 on the season, while the Sea-Hawks fall to 1-12. The two teams will meet again on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 5:30 p.m. ADT.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics