Split means status quo

After Rebecca Sheehan drained a three-point shot to give the St. Francis Xavier X-Women a 62-46 early fourth-quarter lead over Memorial Sea-Hawks Monday, St. FX coach Matt Skinn turned to speak to his bench players.

"If we get 70, it's our game," said Skinn.

The X-Women did get to 70 and did win, taking a 77-70 decision over the Sea-Hawks in Atlantic women's basketball at the Field House Monday.

The Sea-Hawks beat the X-Women 69-51 Sunday night, so split leaves St. Francis and MUn with 6-2 records, 16 points and ties for second place in the AUS standings.

"I don't think we came out with our best effort last (Sunday) night," said Skinn. "We didn't shoot very well. We just couldn't make any shots. We only had 51 points, our lowest this season."

But from the start of Monday's game, the X-Women's coach felt his team would turn thing.

"We came out with way better fire ... way better energy and our defence played well in the first half," said Skinn. "That was the difference from the opening game of the series when we didn't play any defence in the first half.

"We were more aggressive going to the rim today. We got the ball inside a little bit better to our big girls.

"We normally like to get the ball inside, but we also like to shoot a lot of threes. Sunday night, they weren't going in for us."

Sheehan opened the scoring with a three-pointer and St. Francis never really looked back, leading 17-14 after the first quarter and took a 33-25 lead into the second half.

While Skinn wouldn't be held to predicting a first overall finish - Cape Breton sits on top at 9-0 - he believes his team is definitely in the running for the conference championship.

"I'm not necessarily talking about the regular season, but I think there are four or five teams with a legitimate shot at winning the AUS this year and we are one of them," he said.

"Cape Breton is the team to beat right now. They are undefeated and the conference champs from last year.

"But I still think somebody will give them their best game and then you never know what will happen."

Another good outing for O'Reilly

There was at least one positive for MUN. Seldom used third-year wing Robyn O'Reilly from Witless Bay sank three treys for the Sea-Hawks and continues to earn more floor time. She sank two three-pointers in 16 minutes of court time in the series opener.

MUN coach Doug Partridge, who appeared frustrated with his players from the start of Monday's game, picked up his second technical in two days.

At various times, Partridge could be heard shouting: "Do your job!" and "Get your head in the game!"

He was upset with the officiating at the end of the first half and was overhead asking: "Call some fouls, all right?" in the general direction of the refs. He was less agitated in the second half after St. Francis had secured control of the game.

The official scoresheet was unavailable after the game.

jbrowne@thetelegram.com