MONTREAL -- After a three-month hiatus, the McGill University women's basketball team returned to action on Thursday, falling 66-36 to UQAM at Love Competition Hall to open the winter semester.
 
The visiting Citadins, who improved to 3-2, jumped out to an 18-13 lead after 10 minutes and built on that advantage, leading 35-24 at halftime and 51-28 after three quarters.
 
Fredlyne Verrier and Veronique Boivin, paced the visitors, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively. Verrier added eight and Boivin had a pair of boards to go with two steals. Teammate Alexe Dufresne also reached double digits, with 11 pointsand five rebounds.
 
While the Martlets (0-5) struggled offensively, they had a solid outing in the defensive end, holding the Citadins to just 34.4 per cent shooting.
 
"I thought we started off really well, but with only nine players dressed we fatigued as the night went on," said McGill head coach Rikki Bowles. "We didn't have EJ (Scotten) or Trishia (Villedrouin), so the legs may have gotten a little heavy. Rebounding wasn't an issue, we didn't turn the ball over, but it's just about staying consistent for 40 minutes."
 
Katie Rathwell of North Battleford, Sask., paced the Martlets offensively, scoring 11 points, on 5-for-10 shooting, and pulling down three boards.
 
"Katie played really well," noted Bowles. "We were actually just talking about it in the locker room, everything that she does it at a high intensity. It's not that everything is perfect, but the level of compete is there for her on every play. It's particularly tough when you have a short bench. But our equalizer needs to be the effort level we put out every night. Whether it's Katie or someone else, we need to set the tone early and bring toughness for four quarters."
 
Jessica Salanon of Ile-Perrot, Que., was solid as well, finishing with seven points, three rebounds and a game-high three steals. Maddy Colpitts, Iman Ibrahim and Amelie Rochon had four points apiece.
 
Next up, the Martlets play a return game at UQAM on Saturday (Feb. 19) at 5 p.m.

BOXSCORE

RSEQ STATS & STANDINGS


SOURCE:
Zachary McRae
Communications Officer
McGill Athletics & Recreation
514.616.5573 (Tel.)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
zachary.mcrae@mcgill.ca