OUA WILSON CUP FINAL FOUR HITS MCMASTER THIS WEEKEND
HAMILTON, Ont. - For the first time ever, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men’s basketball will bring its final four competitors together to vie for the Wilson Cup and for the OUA’s two berths into the 2011 CIS Final-8 tournament. The inaugural Wilson Cup Final Four will be broadcast on The Score Television Network and webcast live on www.thescore.com.
Hamilton’s McMaster University will serve as the venue on Friday and Saturday, March 4 & 5, 2011 and will welcome two top seeds and two upset-minded squads, looking to extend their seasons.
The first semifinal on Friday, March 4 will pit the Ottawa Gee-Gees versus the Lakehead Thunderwolves at 6 p.m. live on The Score. Lakehead enters the Final Four as the first-place finisher in the OUA West Division. The Thunderwolves completed the conference schedule with a record of 17 wins and five losses, and defeated the Western Mustangs 63-49 last Saturday to advance.
The Ottawa Gee-Gees head to Hamilton on a roll, having finished third in the OUA East with an 11-11 record. After defeating Laurentian 83-77 in Ottawa, they went on to knock off second-place Toronto 85-60 on the Varsity Blues own floor.
There is some history between these two teams as they contested a spot at the 2010 CIS Tournament last season, with Lakehead beating the Gee-Gees 78-73 in Ottawa for the OUA Bronze medal and a berth at the Nationals. In OUA cross-over play last November, Lakehead was again able to gain a 68-65 victory over Ottawa in the Nation’s capital.
The second semifinal features the top-ranked team in Canada as the No. 1 Carleton Ravens face the Laurier Golden Hawks at 8 p.m. with the game tape delayed on The Score at 10 p.m. Carleton enters the Final Four undefeated and finished OUA East conference play with a perfect 22-0 record, before beating Ryerson 97-73 in playoff action.
The Laurier Golden Hawks will attempt to keep their post-season run going, after beating Guelph 80-72 at home and then taking down Windsor 85-82 on the road. Laurier enters the Final Four with a record of 13 wins and nine losses, good for third place in the OUA West.
The Hawks played Carleton tough in cross-over action last November, dropping an 88-80 contest on home court, which is the narrowest margin of victory the Ravens have had all season.
Friday’s winners will advance to play for the OUA Championship on Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. with the game shown live on The Score. Both finalists advance to the CIS Final-8 in Halifax from March 11-13, 2011.
Tickets are still available for both nights and can be purchased by phone at (905) 525-9140 ext. 20353, online at http://www.athrec.mcmaster.ca/pos/, or in person at McMaster University’s “Maroon Shop” or any Hamilton Area Pioneer Petroleums location.
OUA Men's Basketball Wilson Cup Final Four
theScore www.thescore.com
Friday, March 4
Semifinal #1 - Ottawa Gee-Gees vs. Lakehead Thunderwolves @ 6 p.m. - live on theScore
Semifinal #2 - Laurier Golden Hawks vs. Carleton Ravens @ 8 p.m. - tape delayed till 10 p.m. on theScore
Saturday, March 5
OUA Championship Game @ 8 p.m. - live on theScore
