Mystics fall to Tommies in tight matchup 65-60

(Halifax, NS) The St. Thomas Tommies would claim the top seed entering into the playoffs after they defeated the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics by a 65-60 score Saturday evening at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium. 

Leading the charge for the Tommies were Katie Vidito (Charlottetown, PE) and Paige LeBlanc (New Maryland, NB) as the both finished with a game-high 15 points. Vidito chipped in with 8 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. LeBlanc recorded 3 rebounds and 3 steals for the Tommies. Charlee Connors (Fredericton, NB) provided a spark off the bench as she finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds. 

The Mystics were led by Emma Empringham (Sackville, NS) as she finished with 13 points and 4 rebounds. Victoria Strickland (St. John's, NL) scored 11 points, and grabbed 8 rebounds. Elissa Bryce (Rothesay, NB) supported the Mystics offence with 10 points off the bench. 

The Mystics opened up the game as Celine Sterckel (Moncton, NB) finished at the basket. The Tommies would respond off the strong play from Vidito as she would score in transition with a layup.  The Mystics would get consecutive hustle plays by Jenna Matheson (Halifax, NS) as she would crash the boards and record back-to-back offensive rebounds that would lead to a three point shot by Sterckel. The Mystics would extend their lead throughout the quarter as they extended their lead to 16-4. Sarah Gruchy (St. John's, NL) would enter the game off the bench and contribute with consecutive layups, both off assists by Kelsey Matheson (Halifax, NS). The Tommies would respond with a run of their own, as Alyssa Jeffrey (Sussex, NB) would go strong to the basket and finish through contact. They would follow with a layup from Claudia Steeves (St. John's, NL) to narrow the Mystics' lead to 16-9. The Mystics would close the quarter on a 6-0 run, capped off by a corner three by Lily Newberry (Yellowknife, NT). The Mystics took a 22-9 lead into the second quarter. 

As the second quarter started, both teams came out and ramped up their defensive pressure as they forced both teams into numerous turnovers. The Mystics would get an early contribution from Strickland as she would connect on a step back three over her defender to give the Mystics a 29-16 lead. The Tommies would immediately respond as Steeves would connect on a corner three to cut the lead back to 10. Bryce would connect on a layup off the Tommies' turnover which forced them to call a timeout to regroup. Out of the timeout, the Tommies ball movement would lead to a corner three by LeBlanc. A few possessions later, LeBlanc would jump the passing lane to record the steal which led to her transition layup. Bryce would respond for the Mystics with a corner three. The Mystics would close the quarter with a 40-28 lead into the halftime break.  

The Tommies used a strong third quarter to overtake the Mystics as they outscored the hosts 19-1 in the quarter. The Tommies were led as Vidito opened the quarter with consecutive threes. Connors would also contribute with two baseline layups for the Tommies. The visiting Tommies would enter the fourth quarter with a 47-41 lead. 

The Mystics would open up the quarter looking to regain the momentum from the first half. Keezaidra Smith (North Preston, NS) provided the spark for the hosts on both ends of the floor. Defensively, she would record a block and a few plays later on the offensive end, she would connect on a driving floater. The Mystics would connect to get bench support from Bryce as she would drive to the basket for the floater. Empringham would drive to the basket and connect through traffic for the and one finish. It would be a back and forth quarter as both teams were battling to claim the crucial victory in the race for the top seed entering the playoffs. Ultimately, it would be the Tommies who would claim victory thanks in part to their defensive pressure and decisive three pointers late by Steeves and Vidito by a score of 65-60. 

Both teams return to the court tomorrow afternoon when they face off in the doubleheader to close the 2025-26 regular season. Tip-off is at 3:00pm at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium.