MONTREAL – Gladys Hakizimana scored a team-high 23 points and Sirah Diarra posted a "double-double" as McGill won 79-67 against the reigning Atlantic University Sports basketball champions Acadia Axewomen in preseason action, at Love Competition Hall, Friday.

It was the first encounter in a decade between the schools since a 77-75 victory for the Axewomen at McGill on Oct. 17, 2009. Acadia, the two-time defending AUS conference champions, dropped to 1-2 in preseason.
 
The Martlets, who evened their record to 4-4 overall, had a 23-16 advantage after the first quarter, led 45-35 at halftime and 55-53 heading into the final frame and then slapped their guests 24-14.
 
Hakizimana, a 5-foot-7 point-guard from Montreal, shot 8-for-12 from the field, 5-for-8 from the three-point line and was perfect on two free-throws. The fifth-year senior pulled down four rebounds -- all in the defensive zone -- and had one steal, in just 19 minutes of court time.

Diarra, who hails from Longueuil, Que., added 13 points and 10 rebounds for her second-straight double-double. The 6-foot-1 Clemson University transfer shot 6-for-9 from the field and 1-for-3 from the free-throw line. She was also credited with a game-high four blocked shots.

Rookie guard Maddy Colpitts of Fredericton, also reached double-digits with a dozen points off the bench. The management freshman shot 3-for-4 from the floor and was a flawless 4-for-4 in free-throws. She also grabbed a pair of defensive rebounds and added one assist.

Rounding out McGill's scoring was Delphine Robitaille (8 points), Geraldine Cabillo-Abante (7), Kamsi Ogbudibe (6), Ruth Tshikudi-Tshila (5), Jessica Salanon (3) and Stephanie Mondou (2).

Senior guard Haley McDonald scorde a game-high 25 points in a losing cause for Acadia, with a 10-for-17 performance from the floor.

The Axewomen had the upper hand over McGill in rebounding (34-32), steals (5-3) and turnovers (12-7), while the Martlets had a slight edge in blocks (4-3).

McGill shot 46.6 per cent from the field (27/58), 45.8 per cent from downtown (11/24) and 14-for-20 from the stripe. The visitors shot 38 per cent (27/71) from the floor, 7-for-25 from beyond the arc and were 6-for-12 from the charity stripe

McGill (4-4) will host Carleton (5-3) Saturday (Oct. 26), at 2 p.m., while Acadia (1-2) tips off at UQÀM (1-3) two hours later.
 
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