Women’s Basketball
The Marika Williams’ era has truly arrived in Halifax, with the UKC women securing their first win under the guidance of their new coach. A 55-47 win at home against the visiting UNBSJ Seawolves represents the first victory for the Blue Devils this season. It couldn’t have come at a better time just one game week away from the midseason break. Jenna Bain and Norah Quinlan spearheaded the King’s offence, each tallying 16 points as the game’s top scorers, with Bain collecting 10 rebounds to post a double-double on the afternoon. Hanna Grossman led in scoring for the Seawolves with nine.
The UKC women had a short overnight reprieve before their second match of the weekend; an afternoon bout with St. Thomas. The Blue Devils showed marked improvement from their 29-point routing in Fredericton two weeks ago, even though they came out on the short end of the scoresheet, posting a 57-69 final in Halifax. Fuelled by a 28-point scoring performance from Jenna Bain, the UKC women harassed the Tommies defensively for large portions of the game forcing 25 turnovers from the visitors. Forward Nalini Maharaj, a senior, scored 11 points and 11 rebounds, providing a crucial spark off the bench for the Blue Devils.
Momentum is beginning to build behind Marika William’s squad. An unforgiving introduction to the ACAA and some poorly timed injuries to key players have slowed the process, but the narrowing of margins in indisputable. With one win already in the books, the UKC women look to finish off the Fall term on a positive note when they host the Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday, December 3rd, in a make-up game from earlier in the season.
Results:
vs. UNBSJ: 55-47 Win
vs. STU: 57-69 Loss
Next Game:
vs. MTA Saturday, December 3rd, 2pm
Men’s Basketball
A win and a loss on the weekend for the UKC men, who are now up from the basement of the league standings and into a playoff slot. On Saturday afternoon the Blue Devils posted their first win of the season, a decisive 102-56 victory over the visiting UNBSJ Seawolves. Four players reached double figures for King’s with Xavier Buckley, Ethan Merlin, Caleb Rennie, and Brendan Morris all tallying 10+, with Morris leading the way with 23 points. Ethan Szemerda topped the sheet for the Seawolves with a team high 13 points.
The Sunday game proved less fruitful, with the visiting St. Thomas Tommies securing a 93-74 win. A pair of technical fouls deprived the Blue Devils of point guard, Xavier Buckley, who had 10 points before his early dismissal in the 4th quarter. Ethan Merlin led the Blue Devils in scoring with 16, while an inspired Jerome Williams posted a King’s career high 13 points. Elsewhere, King’s forward, Corson O’Rourke amassed a game high 16 rebounds. For the Tommies, Vincent Lyttleton, Gayo Isaya, Geoffrey Levoie, Tanner Hoyt and Tre Campbell all reached double figures, with Isaya’s 18 points leading all scorers.
In spite of the loss, the UKC men can reflect on their marked improvement in the past two games. The win against UNBSJ, while expected, represents a strong demonstration of the team’s potential, and the loss to St. Thomas, while still sizeable, was less than half the margin of loss the Blue Devils experienced in Fredericton earlier in the month. With the winter break now upon them, the UKC men will enjoy an extended hiatus until the New Year before restarting their season at home against MSVU on Friday, January 13th.
Results:
vs. UNBSJ 102-56 Win
vs. STU 74-93 Loss
Next Games:
vs. MSVU Friday, January 13th, 8pm
